Former NBA Player Manute Bol Dies at 47

(CBS/AP)  Last Updated 12:36 a.m. ET

Manute Bol, a lithe 7-foot-7 shot-blocker from Sudan who spent 10 seasons in the NBA and was dedicated to humanitarian work in Africa, died Saturday. He was 47.

Bol died at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a painful skin condition, Tom Prichard, executive director of the group Sudan Sunrise, said in an e-mail.

"Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us," Prichard said. "Manute, we'll miss you. Our prayers and best wishes go out to all his family, and all who mourn his loss."

Bol played in the NBA with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami, averaging 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks for his career. He led the league in blocks in 1985-86 with Washington (5.0 per game) and in 1988-89 with Golden State (4.3 a game).

"Manute's impact on this city, our franchise and the game of basketball cannot be put into words," 76ers president and general manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement. "He ... was continually giving of himself through his generosity and humanitarian efforts in order to make the world around him a much better place, for which he will always be remembered."

Bol joined the NBA with Washington in 1985 and played three seasons there. He returned to the team briefly toward the end of his career. The Wizards lauded him as a "true humanitarian and an ambassador for the sport of basketball."

"Despite his accomplishments on the court, his lasting legacy will be the tireless work and causes he promoted in his native Sudan and the cities in which he played," the club said in a statement.

After the NBA, Bol worked closely as an advisory board member of Sudan Sunrise, which promotes reconciliation in Sudan. .

Bol was hospitalized in mid-May during a stopover in Washington after returning to the United States from Sudan. Prichard said then that Bol was in Sudan to help build a school in conjunction with Sudan Sunrise but stayed longer than anticipated after the president of southern Sudan asked him to make election appearances and use his influence to counter corruption in the county.

He said Bol had undergone three dialysis treatments and developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a condition that caused him to lose patches of skin. Prichard said the skin around Bol's mouth was so sore he went 11 days without eating and could barely talk.

Prichard said it's believed Bol contracted the skin disease as a reaction to kidney medication he took while in Africa.

Janis Ricker, operations manager of Sudan Sunrise, said Saturday the organization will continue its work building the school in Bol's home village in southern Sudan. She said Bol's goal was to build 41 schools throughout Sudan.

[jxknowles]

He left a great legacy during his short time on this planet. Remarkable person.

[skarrzpop]

You are and were a GREAT MAN!!!! RIP my friend!! The love and charity you showed to the World will be deeply missed!!!!!!!!

[brianbwb2011]

Whenever someone who does so much good for his people passes, it is a tragedy, even more so at such a young age.

A true giant, in heart, spirit, and generosity even greater than his stature.

The world is definitely and palpably diminished by his passing, may we all increase our contribution to the benefit of all life to make up for the loss.

[carefulobserver]

I was accepting the report that it was kidney illness that took Manute's life at 47, that is until I read the part about the president of southern Sudan asking him to participate in election rallies. in Africa, when you start getting involved in politics, and if you have foreign connections - especially the United States, with a few millions from the NBA years, you become an enemy to some people immediately. Sudan is still a nation at war with major foreign powers calling the shots from Khartoum to Darfur to oil rich southern Sudan. If they can poison the leader of the Orange Revolution in the Ukraine, they sure can get to this young man. The Chinese are currently calling the shots in the Sudan because they want those newly discovered oil reserves in southern Sudan -yes, the very southern Sudan where it's president had sked Manute to get involved in some political rallies aimed at fighting corruption. If you don't die in a mysterious car accident, you will die of a 'disease' of some kind. CBSNEWS is reporting that he might have contarcted the skin disease as result of a drug reaction, a drug that he took while in the Sudan. If they can't run over you in Africa, you will sure be poisoned. May you rest in peace Manute Bol.

[jfbiii]

Yes, god certainly blessed him by letting him die. God blessed his children, too, by taking their father. How wonderful of god to bless them all this way. I'm certain they're very grateful to god for this wonderful turn of events in their lives. God for the win.

[nansea5]

Everyone dies, he lived a good life as a good person and that makes a difference.

[Vertrauen]

???? Living a good life as a good person does not make his passing @ 47 easy for his family - when someone who is 95 dies, the term 'they lived a long good life' comes in to play...at 47 it's just confusing, jolting and sad for those close to him - regardless, I hope he rests in peace and his family finds closure in some manner

[bradkt1]

I met Manute and his brothers once. They seemed to be a nice guys and were very friendly.

I know that Manute used both his money and his prestiege as an NBA player to try to help others in his home country who were less fortunate than him. Good for him.

My condolences to his family.

[carolhill814]

It is so sad that he went TO THE OTHERSIDE OF THE CURTAIN but he lived a good life and did so much good for everybody he came into contact with and for that he will never ever be forgotten.

But now he is with GOD and not suffering and he is looking down on all of us and telling us not to be sad so that is what we all should do to make him happy.

MAY GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY NOW AND FOR ALL TIME AS I AM SURE HE WILL!!!