Manute Bol, the tallest player in NBA history during his 10 seasons, has died, his friend Tom Prichard told The Star today. Bol, who had a home in Olathe, died this morning at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. He was fighting acute kidney failure and a skin disease he contracted while trying to help his native Sudan. He was 47.
He spent his entire basketball fortune and survived attacks on his life to save and improve lives in and around Sudan. He lost hundreds of family members in an ongoing war but saved or educated at least that many with peacemaking efforts.
Sudan Sunrise, a charity Bol has worked with, said: "Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us. Manute, we'll miss you. Our prayers and best wishes go out to all his family, and all who mourn his loss."
Star news services contributed to this report.
