Legends Mourn Manute Bol
The NBRPA and Its Members Mourn the Passing of Manute Bol
Updated: June 28, 2010, 11:30am EST
On Saturday, June 26th a private service was held for the immediate family and close friends of NBA Legend and longtime National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) member, Manute Bol.
The private service was held at Immanuel’s Church in Silver Spring, MD. Attendees were able to view the body, say their final goodbyes & pay their respects to Manute . The NBRPA’s support was evident with NBRPA Executive Director, Charles D. Smith and several other members in attendance including Michael Adams, Phil Chenier, John Durham, Jaren Jackson, Gheorge Muresan and Jerrod Mustaf.
Charles delivered a moving address citing the first time he met Manute in Charles’ hometown of Bridgeport, CT where Manute played college basketball for the University of Bridgeport. Charles went on to add “When you play professional basketball you are considered one of the best at your profession in the world. Manute used the NBA and the NBA platform to raise funds and awareness for his native Sudan, proving he was one of the best in the world at giving. Manute gave of himself and his benevolence for a greater cause, a true hero and Legend to the people of Sudan”.
Determined to continue to assist the Bol family in any way possible, the NBRPA is working diligently with Manute’s former teams to cover some of the financial costs associated with the funeral arrangements.
A public memorial service is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 29th at 10 a.m. at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
Updated: June 24, 2010, 9:00am EST
Public Memorial Service: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10am
Washington National Cathedral- 3101 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Washington, DC 20016
Updated: June 21, 2010, 8:00am EST
Manute Bol Passing
By: Charles D. Smith
I arrived in Charlottesville, VA on the afternoon of June 16th to attend the National Basketball Players Association’s (NBPA) Top 100 High School basketball camp. The camp is an annual event for the NBPA in which several of our members participate as coaches. After checking into the hotel I drove about 2 miles to the University of Virginia where the camp was being held in the main gym on campus.
Each year the NBPA brings in current and former NBA players to coach these elite High School athletes. This year we had the opportunity to work with the NBPA to help secure coaches for the camp. I was pleased to see some old friends and fellow Legends in attendance including: JR Reid, PJ Brown, Sean Rooks, Calvin Booth, Kevin Ollie, Eldridge Racasner, Ed Pickney, Brian Cook, Theo Ratliff, Matt Carroll, Kobe Karl, Ime Udoka, Chris Duhon, Brian Skinner, Anthony Johnson, Jerry Stackhouse, Mark Blount, and Maurice Evans.
On the morning of Saturday, June 19th I received an upsetting text message on my phone that Manute Bol had passed away at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA (Manute was 47 years old). Manute was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a painful skin condition. We all knew that Manute had severe medical issues for some time, but news like this always comes as a shock.
After receiving the text message I quickly drove back to my hotel room from the gym at UVA to change my clothes and find out where the University of Virginia Hospital was located. I quickly changed clothes and proceeded to the front desk of the hotel where I spoke with an attendant who told me that UVA Hospital was located two blocks away behind the construction zone across the street from the hotel. Although relieved that I could make it over to the hospital quickly I immediately felt horrible because I had now been in town for four days with a member of the Retired Players Association and a friend on his death bed just two short blocks from where I was staying and I did not realize it.
Upon my arrival at the hospital I was greeted by Manute's brother, Mr. George Bol. George was surrounded by a host of family members including Manute’s wife, Ajok and their two young boys Madut, age 4 and Garang age 3. Additionally, there were several of Manute's close friends all of whom are Sudanese except for two film makers (please see the first image below). As you may know Manute was a true humanitarian and a hero to the Sudanese people, helping to build schools in his native land. George took the time to introduce me to everyone in the room and we all sat down together and talked for a while. After some time, one of the hospital’s clergy members approached George and Manute’s wife Ajok and asked to speak with them privately. While George and Ajok were speaking with the clergy members I continued to chat and play with two of Manute’s son’s Madut and Garang.
After returning from the private meeting with the clergy members George let everyone know that we could proceed to the hospital chapel for a private prayer service. Not certain that the family wanted everyone to attend the prayer service I stayed in my seat until George requested my presence. I was the last one to walk into the room to see the body of a real warrior of benevolence lying in front of me as if he were asleep. My heart immediately became very heavy and I was holding back tears as I took part in and was a witness to this family’s most somber moment, saying goodbye to their loved one.
After the prayer service we returned to the lobby of the hospital where I had a chance to sit down with Manute’s brother George. George informed me that as soon as Manute returned to the United States on May 13th from an extended trip in Sudan where he was helping to build a school in conjunction with Sudan Sunrise, he went directly to the emergency room at a hospital in Reston, VA. On May 18th Manute was transported to UVA Hospital.
Manute spent 10 seasons in the NBA playing for Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami. Manute lead the league in blocked shots in 1985-86 (5.0 per game) and 1988-89 (4.3 per game). He left an indelible mark on the NBA and its fans; he was loved by all whom he touched.
There will be a service for Manute sometime next week in Washington, D.C. and then his body will be transported to Turalei, Sudan where he wished to be buried next to his grandfather. As soon as we have the specifics regarding the service in Washington D.C. we will pass them along to you.
After my time visiting and speaking with Manute’s family and friends, I walked away with an even better understanding that the National Basketball Retired Players Association is just not about its members. This organization encompasses and has an impact on the families and close friends of our members.
It is with great sorrow that I pass along this information. Our deepest condolences go out to Manute’s wife Ajok, his brother George, his children and the entire Bol family. We will all miss Manute and will cherish the memories and the times spent together.
Back Row L-R
Amanda Jane, Mathew Kohn (Film Makers), Francis Olimpio (Friend), George Bol (Brother), Viola Lita (Hospital Tech), Atem Akol (Friend), Erminia Janabio (Friend)
Front Row L-R
Acuil Bol (Sister), Bol Bol (Son), Madut Bol (Son), Garang Bol (Son), Akeer Bol (Daughter), Ajok Bol (Wife), Karmela Rabi (Friend)
Charles D. Smith and the U.S. Ambassador of Sudan, Dr. Akec K. A. Khoc
Manute & Charles and at fundraiser for Manute at the University of Bridgeport on November 19, 2005
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