Early Life and the Role of Height
Manute Bol was born on October 16, 1962, in Turalei, a village in Sudan (now South Sudan). His family was part of the Dinka ethnic group, known for their tall stature. Bol’s father, mother, and sister were all over 6 feet tall, with his father standing at 6'8" and his mother at 6'10".
Growing up in rural Sudan, Bol’s exceptional height brought challenges and opportunities. He was initially more interested in soccer, but his extraordinary size eventually led him to basketball—a sport he didn’t pick up until his teenage years.