Lion Slayer

Manute Bol stands at an ungodly 7’7″ and weighs 200 lbs. Wait that does not quite add up. Bol was a long skinny athlete who made his way to the NBA by the way of fishy passports and the help of some coaches he could barely talk to. So yes, there were some language barriers when Bol traveled from Sudan to Cleveland, where he played for Cleveland State University. Bol was sort of a legend back then. Almost like an exhibit to the fans, “How is this man so tall?” they would ask. Well, his height did precede him and even though that is a weird enough fact, it’s not why we are here today, for today I will be talking about Manute Bol, “The Lion Slayer”.

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As you can see from the image above Manute Bol towered over other players and not just the 5’3″ Muggsy Bogues we see him pictured with above. Bol was drafted in the second round by the Washington Bullets. Playing as a rookie he set the rookie record of most blocks in a season with 397 blocks which is just shy of five blocks per game. He was a long lanky center who could get his hands all over the ball defensively, and this proved to be his greatest asset. At the end of Bol’s ten-year career, he averaged more blocks than he did points, and the weird thing about all of it is that the man was known as a pretty decent shooter from the three-point line. I remember this one story of the oddest stat line from the 7’7″ center. On March 3, 1993, Manute Bol and the 76ers traveled to play MVP winner Charles Barkley in Phoenix. At this point, the 76ers were trash like dumpster fire, sell the team bad. Anyhow no matter how bad the team was every team still wants to grab a win on the road. Manute is still defensive-minded and hasn’t found his touch from outside, but this game it was though he had the long-range touch of the basketball gods. Bol ends up hitting six 3-pointers in the second half. To watch this flagpole of a man who was more notable for his blocking game hit six shots from past the arch in one half will always be amazing. All in all his career was decent but the fact that he came from Sudan in Africa paved the way for more African players to take shape in the NBA.

Sorry for making you all wait for the weird part of the story, but Manute Bol was a bit of an oddity himself. I wanted to share a little bit more history and backstory about him because I love his play style of defensive mindedness. However, I am much more ready to dive into this tale of a man killing a lion and all while at the age of 15. I’m going to start this by saying that this story is plagued by controversy, but I want to allow you to decide for yourself. So the legend is told one day while Bol was hunting as a young herdsman of his Sudanese tribe he came across a lion. This ferocious beast stares down a Bol like he is deciding if he should eat him now or to save him for later. No sooner than the lion decides Manute chunks his spear at the lion hitting him in the side. Down goes the lion and up comes the legend. I really can’t make heads or tails of this story, but I have also never been in Africa during the 70s as well so I could never be the one to tell you. Unfortunately, Bol passed away in 2010 so we might never get the truth. however, in his memory, I will always think of Manute Bol “Lion Slayer” whenever someone asks me. For now, it’s up for you to decide what to believe, but go into that journey with an open mind.

One last thing. Here is the video to the aforementioned six 3-pointers that Bol hit in a single half. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45czWPhWQOI

Once again thanks for making it to the end of this crazy story. Leave a comment on a wild hunting story that you have heard. Well anyhow, see y’all next time, James.