Manute Bol.

Born 16 Oct 1962 Gogrial

Died 19 Jun 2010 Charlottesville, United States

Citizenship Sudan

Would Be 63 yr If Living

10 min read

Reading time

1,979

Words

Jun 8, 2026

Published

Film credits

TL;DR

Manute Bol, the second tallest NBA player in history at 7 foot 7, blocked 397 shots as a rookie for the Washington Bullets in the 1985-86 season, still the second-highest single-season total. He is the only NBA player with more career blocked shots 2,086 than points scored 1,599. Born in Gogrial, Sudan, Bol later acted on shows like Saturday Night Live. He died on June 19, 2010, from kidney failure and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Manute Bol — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Nicknames Nute, The One Manute Man

SPOUSES: Ajok Giugwol
CHILDREN: Bol Bol Madut Bol

At a glance.

STATS

Manute Bol by the numbers — life, work, and family.

47 Years lived

4 Film credits

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who was Manute Bol?

BIOGRAPHY

Manute Bol — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Manute Bol was born on October 16, 1962, in Gogrial, Sudan, the son of a Dinka tribal chief. His name means special blessing in Dinka. He first played basketball at age 18, and when he tried to dunk for the first time, he chipped his teeth on the rim. Despite not having a strong command of written English, he attended Cleveland State University before transferring to the University of Bridgeport, where he played one year of college basketball.

Career

Bol was drafted by the San Diego Clippers in the 5th round of the 1983 NBA Draft, but was re-drafted in the 2nd round by the Washington Bullets in 1985. He played for the Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat. As a rookie in 1985-86, he blocked 397 shots, leading the NBA and setting a rookie record. He is the only player in NBA history with more blocked shots 2,086 than points 1,599. Bol also appeared as himself on television shows like Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman.

Personal life

Bol was married to Ajok Giugwol from 1998 until his death. He had ten children, including Bol Bol and Madut Bol, and four with his second wife. In 2001, he traveled to Sudan and was held against his will by the Islamic government for supporting Dinka-led Christian rebels; he escaped to Egypt and returned to the U.S. in 2002. He survived a severe car accident in June 2004 that killed the driver and left him with cracked vertebrae and internal injuries, from which he fully recovered.

Legacy

Manute Bol remains the second tallest NBA player ever, with a 7-foot-7 frame and 2,086 career blocked shots. His 397 blocks as a rookie in 1985-86 still rank second all-time. The University of Bridgeport inducted him into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. His son Bol Bol also played in the NBA, carrying on his father’s legacy of height and basketball talent.

Filmography.

FILMS · 4

Browse the complete filmography of Manute Bol — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Saturday Night Live

1975
TV

Late Night with David Letterman

1982
Movie

Below the Rim

1995
Movie

All New Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers

1990

Did you know?

FACTS · 15

Little-known facts about Manute Bol — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Standing just a few millimeters shorter than Romanian player Gheorghe Dumitru Muresan, Bol was the second tallest man ever to play in the NBA.
While visiting Sudan in 2001, Bol was held against his will by the Islamic government for supporting Dinka-led Christian rebels in the civil war. He gave most of his fortune to their cause and eventually escaped to Egypt, returning to the United States in 2002.
Bol played one year of college basketball at the University of Bridgeport.
He is the only player in NBA history with more lifetime blocked shots 2,086 than points scored 1,599.
Bol was drafted by the San Diego Clippers in the 5th round of the 1983 NBA Draft out of the University of Bridgeport, then re-drafted in the 2nd round of the 1985 Draft by the Washington Bullets. He played for the Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat.
As the son of a Dinka tribal chief, his name Manute means special blessing in Dinka.
Bol first played basketball at age 18 and chipped his teeth on the rim when he first tried to dunk.
In February 2004, Bol was charged with hitting his daughter, cutting her lip, and interfering with a police officer.
Despite not having a strong command of written English, Bol attended Cleveland State University.
Bol blocked 397 shots as a rookie in the 1985-1986 season, the second-highest single-season total in NBA history. He was the only rookie ever to lead the NBA in blocked shots for a season, and had two games that season where he blocked 15 shots.
Bol is survived by his second wife, Ajok of Olathe, Kansas, and ten children including four with his second wife, as well as a nephew, Mayom Majok.
From 1985 to 1993, Bol was the tallest player in the National Basketball Association.
On June 30, 2004, Bol suffered two cracked vertebrae in his neck, head and internal injuries, and facial lacerations when the cab he was riding in hit a guardrail, killed the driver, and threw him from the car.
Bol fully recovered from the car accident after a slow recovery period.
Bol was inducted into the University of Bridgeport Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 40

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Manute Bol.

When was Manute Bol born?

Manute Bol was born on October 16, 1962. He was born in Gogrial, Sudan.
Where was Manute Bol born?

Manute Bol was born in Gogrial, Sudan. Gogrial is a town in the Warrap state of South Sudan.
When did Manute Bol die?

Manute Bol died on June 19, 2010. He was 47 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Manute Bol when he died?

Manute Bol was 47 years old when he died on June 19, 2010. He passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Where did Manute Bol die?

Manute Bol died in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. He had been hospitalized there before his death.
How did Manute Bol die?

Manute Bol died from kidney failure and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes.
What was Manute Bol's occupation?

Manute Bol was an actor. He appeared as himself on shows like Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman.
What nationality was Manute Bol?

Manute Bol was Sudanese. He was born in Sudan and maintained his citizenship throughout his life.
Who was Manute Bol married to?

Manute Bol was married to Ajok Giugwol. They were married from 1998 until his death in 2010.
Did Manute Bol have children?

Yes, Manute Bol had ten children. Among them are Bol Bol, who played in the NBA, and Madut Bol.
Where did Manute Bol go to school?

Manute Bol attended Case Western Reserve University and the University of Bridgeport. He played one year of college basketball at the University of Bridgeport.
What is Manute Bol best known for?

Manute Bol is best known for being one of the tallest NBA players in history at 7 feet 7 inches. He is also known for his shot-blocking ability and for acting on television.
How tall was Manute Bol?

Manute Bol was 7 feet 7 inches tall, or 2.31 meters. He was the second tallest player ever in the NBA, just a few millimeters shorter than Gheorghe Muresan.
What are Manute Bol's nicknames?

Manute Bol was nicknamed Nute and The One Manute Man. His name Manute means special blessing in the Dinka language.
What was Manute Bol known for on television?

Manute Bol appeared as himself on Saturday Night Live uncredited and Late Night with David Letterman. He also appeared in the documentary Famous: The Tom Gross Story and the 1992 TV show Hardcore TV.
How many blocked shots did Manute Bol have in his rookie season?

Manute Bol blocked 397 shots as a rookie in the 1985-86 season. That is the second-highest single-season total in NBA history and the most ever by a rookie.
Why is Manute Bol known for having more blocked shots than points?

Manute Bol is the only player in NBA history with more career blocked shots 2,086 than points scored 1,599. This unusual stat highlights his defensive prowess.
What happened to Manute Bol in Sudan in 2001?

In 2001, Manute Bol traveled to Sudan and was held against his will by the Islamic government. He was detained for supporting Dinka-led Christian rebels in the civil war, and he had given most of his fortune to their cause. He escaped to Egypt and returned to the United States in 2002.
Did Manute Bol survive a car accident?

Yes, Manute Bol was seriously injured in a car accident on June 30, 2004. The accident killed the driver and left Bol with cracked vertebrae, head injuries, and internal injuries.
How many children did Manute Bol have?

Manute Bol had ten children, including four with his second wife Ajok Giugwol. His sons Bol Bol and Madut Bol are among them.
What is Manute Bol's son Bol Bol known for?

Bol Bol, Manute’s son, is a professional basketball player who has played in the NBA. He was drafted in 2019 and has played for several teams.
When was Manute Bol inducted into the University of Bridgeport Hall of Fame?

Manute Bol was inducted into the University of Bridgeport Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. This honor recognized his basketball career at the school.
What was Manute Bol's height compared to other NBA players?

Manute Bol was the second tallest player in NBA history at 7 feet 7 inches. He was slightly shorter than Gheorghe Muresan, who is the tallest.
How did Manute Bol start playing basketball?

Manute Bol first played basketball at age 18. When he tried to dunk for the first time, he chipped his teeth on the rim.
What was Manute Bol's background before basketball?

Manute Bol was the son of a Dinka tribal chief. His name Manute means special blessing in Dinka.
Did Manute Bol play college basketball?

Yes, Manute Bol played one year of college basketball at the University of Bridgeport. He was drafted from there in 1985.
What teams did Manute Bol play for in the NBA?

Manute Bol played for the Washington Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Clippers in 1983 but re-drafted by the Bullets in 1985.
How many blocked shots did Manute Bol have in his career?

Manute Bol had 2,086 blocked shots in his NBA career. That total is more than the points he scored, making him a unique defensive standout.
Did Manute Bol have any legal issues?

In February 2004, Manute Bol was charged with hitting his daughter and interfering with a police officer. The incident resulted in a cut lip for his daughter.
What was Manute Bol's relationship with Sudan?

Manute Bol was deeply involved in Sudanese politics, supporting the Dinka-led Christian rebels during the civil war. He gave much of his fortune to their cause and was detained by the government in 2001.
How many games did Manute Bol block 15 shots?

Manute Bol had two games during his rookie season where he blocked 15 shots. He led the NBA in blocked shots that season.
Did Manute Bol attend Cleveland State University?

Yes, Manute Bol attended Cleveland State University despite not having a strong command of written English. He later transferred to the University of Bridgeport.
How many seasons did Manute Bol lead the NBA in blocked shots?

Manute Bol led the NBA in blocked shots during his rookie season in 1985-86. He was the only rookie ever to achieve that feat.
What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare and severe disorder that affects the skin and mucous membranes. It was one of the causes of Manute Bol’s death.
How tall is Manute Bol's son Bol Bol?

Bol Bol, Manute’s son, is also very tall at 7 feet 2 inches. He followed his father into the NBA.
Did Manute Bol appear in any movies?

Manute Bol appeared in the documentary Famous: The Tom Gross Story and the 1992 TV show Hardcore TV. He also made appearances on Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman.
What was Manute Bol's draft history?

Manute Bol was first drafted by the San Diego Clippers in the 5th round of the 1983 NBA Draft. He was re-drafted in the 2nd round by the Washington Bullets in 1985.
How much money did Manute Bol donate to the rebel cause?

Manute Bol gave most of his fortune to support Dinka-led Christian rebels in the Sudanese civil war. This led to his detention by the Islamic government in 2001.
What injuries did Manute Bol suffer in the car accident?

The car accident left Manute Bol with two cracked vertebrae in his neck, head injuries, and facial lacerations. He was thrown from the car and the driver died.
Did Manute Bol fully recover from the car accident?

Yes, according to reports, Manute Bol fully recovered from the car accident. The recovery process was slow but he eventually healed.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on June 8, 2026

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Manute Bol.

TL;DR

Early life

Career

Personal life

Legacy

Saturday Night Live

Late Night with David Letterman

Below the Rim

All New Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers