Some people remember Manute Bol for his incredible height and his propensity to block shots, but in the grand scheme of things, Bol was much more than a basketball player. He was a humanitarian, an activist and a lifelong philanthropist in his native Sudan.
During a funeral held Tuesday for the former Wizard at the National Cathedral, family and friends gathered to remember him. The best story came from Rory Sparrow, via Rick Snider of the Washington Examiner.
Manute Bol once dared Michael Jordan to score on him, a preposterous taunt given that Jordan is one of the NBA's biggest legends.
"Manute said, 'Why be afraid of Michael Jordan? He comes inside, I'll block his shot.' And he did," remembered former Jordan teammate Rory Sparrow. "Manute stood his ground."
Well then. Bol was certainly a one of a kind basketball player and an even more unique person. He will be missed.