Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile of basketballer Manute Bol:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Manute Bol
  • Nationality: Sudanese-American
  • Date of Birth: October 16, 1962
  • Hometown: Gogrial, Sudan (now South Sudan)
  • Height: 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m)
  • Weight: 200 lbs (91 kg)
  • Wingspan: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m)
  • Standing Reach: 10 feet 5 inches (3.18 m)
  • Vertical Leap: 24 inches (61 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 16 (US)
  • Number: #10 (Washington Bullets), #5 (Golden State Warriors), #5 (Philadelphia 76ers), #10 (Miami Heat)
  • Position: Center
  • High School: Cleveland Heights High School (briefly)
  • College: University of Bridgeport
  • NBA Draft: 1985, Round 2, Pick 31 (Washington Bullets)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Washington Bullets (1985–1988)
    • Golden State Warriors (1988–1990)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1990–1993)
    • Miami Heat (1993–1994)
    • Washington Bullets (1994)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1994)
    • Golden State Warriors (1994–1995)
  • Championship Rings: 0 (Did not win an NBA championship)
  • Kids: Bol Bol (NBA player) and several others
  • Siblings: Limited public information, but he came from a large family
  • Retirement Year: 1995
  • Retirement Age: 32

Player Archetype / Play Style

Manute Bol embodied a pure rim-protector player archetype, functioning as an extreme defensive anchor whose value centered on shot deterrence and paint control. Defensively, he operated almost exclusively as a drop-coverage backline eraser, using historic length and timing to block or alter attempts without needing to leave the lane, often shrinking offensive spacing by himself. Offensively, his role was minimal and utilitarian—screen setting, occasional put-backs, and rare perimeter spot-ups—reflecting a low-usage profile that prioritized defense over scoring. His physical traits were singular even by NBA standards, standing 7’7″ with extraordinarily long arms, a narrow frame, and towering reach that produced unusually high release points on contests and blocks. The overall play style was highly specialized: limited mobility and strength in traditional post play, but elite vertical reach, anticipation, and instincts that allowed him to dominate as a situational defensive weapon and one of the most extreme rim-protecting specialists the league has seen.

Fun Facts

  • Manute Bol’s extraordinary standing reach allowed him to block shots with minimal jumping, making him one of the greatest shot-blockers in NBA history.
  • His vertical leap was not particularly high due to his long frame and limited lower-body strength.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — Manute Bol
NBA.com — Manute Bol Bio
Encyclopaedia Britannica — Manute Bol