Africa has produced some of the most remarkable basketball players in history, many of whom have left an indelible mark on the NBA and other professional leagues. Among these players, a few stand out not only for their exceptional skills but also for their towering height. This article delves into the stories of the tallest African basketball players, their careers, and their impact on the sport.
Among all African basketball players, two names stand out: Manute Bol and Abiodun Adegoke. Let's take a look at their careers.
Manute Bol
Manute Bol (1962 - 2010) was a Sudanese-American professional basketball player and political activist. After playing college basketball for the Bridgeport Purple Knights, Bol was selected by the Washington Bullets in the 1985 NBA draft.
During his NBA career, which lasted from 1985 to 1995, Bol played for the Bullets and three other teams. A center, Bol is considered among the best shot-blockers in the history of the sport and is the only NBA player to retire with more career blocked shots than points scored.
Manute Bol in 1987
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Manute Bol was born in Turalei, a small village in Sudan. In the Dinka language, Manute means "special blessing". Bol's exact birth year is unknown; the birth date listed in his United States immigration forms is October 16, 1962.
Bol did not speak or write English at the time of his arrival in Cleveland. After months of classes at ESL Language Centers at Case Western Reserve University, he improved his English skills, but not enough to qualify for enrollment at Cleveland State. Bol never played a game for Cleveland State.
With Feeley's influence, Bol declared his intention to play professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The San Diego Clippers drafted him in the 1983 NBA draft as the 97th overall pick.
With the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) questioning his eligibility for NCAA Division I basketball, Bol enrolled at the University of Bridgeport, an NCAA Division II school with an English program for foreign students. He played for the Purple Knights in the 1984-85 season. Bol averaged 22.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 7.1 blocks per game for the Purple Knights.
NBA Career
Bol's first tenure with the Bullets lasted three seasons, from 1985 to 1988. In his rookie season (1985-1986), he appeared in 80 games and recorded a career-high 5.0 blocks per game.
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Bol's first tenure with the Warriors lasted two seasons, from 1988 to 1990. In his first season with Golden State, he attempted three-point shots with regularity. In that season he attempted a career-high 91 three-pointers and made 20 of them.
Bol's first tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers lasted three seasons, from 1990 to 1993. After being released by Philadelphia in July 1993, Bol played in eight games in the 1993-94 season with the Miami Heat.
In October 1994, Bol returned to the Warriors and played his last five NBA games there. On November 15, 1994, Bol came off of the bench to play 29 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves and made all three of his three-point attempts in the fourth quarter. Seven nights later in Charlotte, in a game nationally televised by TNT, he was in the starting lineup again. After playing only ten minutes against the Hornets on November 22, 1994, he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
During the 1995-96 season, Bol played 22 games for the Florida Beach Dogs of the Continental Basketball Association.
Official NBA publications have listed Bol at either 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) or 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) tall. He was measured by the Guinness Book of World Records at 7 ft 6 3⁄4 in tall. Bol had exceptionally long limbs (inseam 49 inches (120 cm)) and large hands and feet (size 16 1/2).
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In his NBA career, Bol averaged 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 3.3 blocks per game, playing an average of 18.7 minutes. He finished his career with 1,599 points, 2,647 rebounds, and 2,086 blocks.
Humanitarian Work
Bol was active in charitable causes during and after his basketball career. He frequently visited Sudanese refugee camps, where he was treated like royalty.
Later, the Sudanese government hindered Bol from leaving the country, accusing him of supporting the Dinka-led Christian rebels, the Sudan People's Liberation Army. It refused to grant him an exit visa unless he came back with more money. Assistance from supporters in the United States, including Senator Joe Lieberman, raised money to provide Bol with plane tickets to Cairo, Egypt.
Bol established the Ring True Foundation to continue fund-raising for Sudanese refugees, giving most of his earnings (an estimated $3.5 million) to their cause. In 2002, Fox TV agreed to broadcast the foundation's phone number in exchange for Bol's agreement to appear on their Celebrity Boxing show.
Bol was involved in the April 2006 Sudan Freedom Walk, a three-week march from the United Nations building in New York City to the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. Bol was also an advocate for reconciliation efforts and worked to improve education in South Sudan.
During his time in Egypt, Bol ran a basketball school in Cairo. One of his pupils was a fellow Sudanese refugee, former NBA player Luol Deng, the son of a former Sudanese cabinet minister.
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Abiodun Adegoke
Abiodun Adegoke (born 1998/1999) is a Nigerian amateur basketball player notable for being one of the tallest amateur basketball players.
Abiodun Adegoke, also known as Big Naija
Standing at 7-foot-11 (2.41 meters), Adegoke has fascinated the internet with his unique stature. His towering presence has made him a viral phenomenon, with his Instagram following now reaching 127k.
Adegoke honed his skills at the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy in Wasinmi, Nigeria, and later played in the MPAC Elite Youth League in Dubai. Should he pursue a professional basketball career, Adegoke would hold the record for the tallest player ever.
Other Notable Players
In addition to Manute Bol and Abiodun Adegoke, several other African basketball players have made significant contributions to the sport. Here's a brief look at some of them, along with their heights:
| Player | Height | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bol Bol | 7'3" (2.21m) | Sudan | Plays for the Phoenix Suns |
| Gheorghe Mureșan | 7'7" (2.31 m) | Romania | One of the tallest players in NBA history |
