Early Life and Education of Manute Bol: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Manute Bol, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Manute Bol, a Sudanese-American, was a towering figure in NBA history, standing at 7 ft 6 in or 7 ft 7 in. His exceptional height made him one of the league's tallest players. Beyond basketball, Bol was also a political activist, using his platform to advocate for his native Sudan.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 16, 1962: Birth Date on Immigration Forms

October 16, 1962, is the birth date listed on Manute Bol's United States immigration forms. However, the accuracy of this date has been questioned.

1979: First Invitation to Play Basketball

In 1979, after a widely circulated photo of Bol appeared in a Khartoum newspaper, the police chief in Wau invited him to play for the police basketball team.

1982: Invitation to the United States

In 1982, Don Feeley, the basketball coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University, convinced Bol to come to the United States to play basketball after coaching and holding clinics for the Sudanese national team.

June 1983: Lynam Visits Bol

In June 1983, Jim Lynam traveled to Cleveland to watch Bol play pickup games, and learned about Bol's concerns regarding language barriers and passport discrepancies.

1984: Enrollment at the University of Bridgeport

In 1984, Manute Bol enrolled at the University of Bridgeport, an NCAA Division II school, to improve his English and play basketball, after his eligibility for NCAA Division I was questioned.

May 1985: Professional Signing

In May 1985, Manute Bol turned professional and signed with the Rhode Island Gulls of the United States Basketball League to earn money and help his sister leave Sudan.

1987: Pairing with Muggsy Bogues

In 1987, the Bullets drafted Muggsy Bogues, pairing the tallest (Bol) and shortest players in the league on the court for one season.

July 1988: Arrested for driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest

In July 1988, Manute Bol was arrested for driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.

August 28, 1988: Arrested for driving while intoxicated

On August 28, 1988, Manute Bol was arrested in Maryland for driving while intoxicated.

December 19, 1989: Birth of son Madut

On December 19, 1989, Manute Bol's son, Madut, was born. Madut later played college basketball at Southern University and graduated in 2013.

1995: Speculation on Bol's Age at Retirement

Former teammate Jayson Williams believed Bol may have been as old as 55 before he retired in 1995, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his actual age.

November 16, 1999: Birth of son Bol Bol

On November 16, 1999, Manute Bol's son, Bol Bol, was born. Bol Bol is an NBA basketball player.

2001: Sudanese Government's Offer

In 2001, the Sudanese government offered Manute Bol, a Christian, the post of minister of sport, but he refused because one of the conditions was converting to Islam.

2002: Celebrity Boxing Appearance

In 2002, Manute Bol appeared on Fox TV's Celebrity Boxing show, in exchange for broadcasting the Ring True Foundation's phone number. He scored a third-round victory over former football player William "The Refrigerator" Perry. Bol gave most of his earnings ($3.5 million) to Sudanese refugees.

2002: Granted religious refugee status in the US

In 2002, Manute Bol was admitted to the United States as a religious refugee. He settled in West Hartford, Connecticut, after negotiations with U.S. consulate officials and assistance from supporters like Senator Joe Lieberman, who helped raise money for plane tickets from Cairo, Egypt.

2002: Signs one-day contract with Indianapolis Ice

In late 2002, Manute Bol signed a one-day contract with the Indianapolis Ice of the Central Hockey League. Although he could not skate, the publicity generated by his single-game appearance helped raise money to assist children in Sudan.

February 11, 2004: Arrested for assault, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a police officer

On February 11, 2004, Manute Bol was arrested in West Hartford, Connecticut for assault, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a police officer. Police alleged that Bol had struck his daughter and injured her lip. According to the Hartford Courant, Bol was intoxicated and also attempted to harm himself.

July 2004: Injured in car accident

In July 2004, Manute Bol was seriously injured in a car accident in Colchester, Connecticut. He was ejected from a taxi that hit a guardrail and overturned, resulting in a broken neck. Bol was hospitalized for three months following the accident.

2005: Works with Sudan Sunrise

In 2005, Manute Bol began working with Sudan Sunrise to raise awareness on issues of reconciliation. This included speaking at the United States Capitol and partnering with Sudan Sunrise to build schools across South Sudan.

2005: Popularizing "My Bad"

In 2005, there was a suggestion that Manute Bol coined the expression "my bad", but this claim has been discounted.

February 26, 2006: Arrested following a physical altercation

On February 26, 2006, Manute Bol and his wife Ajok were both arrested in West Harford, Connecticut following a physical altercation at their home.

April 2006: Participates in Sudan Freedom Walk

In April 2006, Manute Bol participated in the Sudan Freedom Walk, a three-week march from New York City to Washington, DC. The event was organized by Simon Deng to raise awareness of modern-day slavery and human-rights abuses throughout Sudan.