When you get to know Bol Bol, you realize he's proud of his family, and you realize he's a mellow guy with a really big heart. I think Bol is one of the coolest kids I ever met.
Why? Dude is gracious, I see him being this junior at Mater Dei, signing a long long line of autographs for little kids that look up to him. Dope person.
I look up to Bol, not just because he's 7-2 (and might grow to be 7-7 like his pops was), but because his mind and heart are in the right place.
Example? We all know Bol can play, but did you know he has this dream of being a pro so that he can go back to his father's home and finish the tremendous humanitarian work his dad Manute Bol lived for?
Bol, like Manute, wants to build schools, hospitals, and help in the Sudan where his dad is from. He wants the Sudanese people to have longer, healthier lives. As Bol says, "I want to go back and finish what my dad started. That's an important goal for me as I grow up. I was back in the Sudan visiting at age 10, but I'll be back there again to help."
In a MAD world, Bol wants to help people, that's why I really appreciate Bol.
Guess who has the MAD shoe game? Bol loves to go shopping for clothes and shoes. Coincidence, me too!
Bol especially likes this dopest shoe boutique that is RIF.LA which is located in Little Tokyo in L.A. This youngster has good taste too, as he states, "I appreciate shoes, they're fun, especially the Adidas Yeezy Supply 350. It's cool just to visit RIF. I know the owner, they're good people there and all the shoes they have are amazing. We don't have anything like RIF in Kansas."
Shout out to my boy Carl up at RIF.LA. I need some Fear pack 5s in my life bro. #100
Bol likes to play NBA 2K online with his friends, create new players. Bol is just a really good dude at heart, fun teenager, who hangs with his guys. That's dope.
Me, your humble writer who’s also a talent evaluator, I really love Bol Bol's game on the court. I see Bol has crazy economy of movement. That means he goes straight to his task on the court without showboating or messing around.
Bol goes in for fearless putbacks, skillful lay ups, power dunks. Bol's turnaround jumper is good, his straight away jumper is on point, his blocking ability is really really great, obviously because he has tremendous length.
But what impresses me the most? Bol has energy, like someone put energizer bunny batteries in his back. #reallydope.
Bol is always trying to involve his teammates, he never celebrates himself. He's just that one dude I'd want playing for me because he does so many right things on the court. Not to mention he has super hoppy hops where he takes off from the free throw line, puts it threw his legs and dunks IN GAMES!
I told Bol he reminded me at times of Cassius Stanley of Harvard Westlake. They both go at dunking so viciously, like a DeMar DeRozan, or a young Vince Carter. Not to overhype Bol, that's just the comparison that comes to mind.
But Bol is so so humble, he can't talk himself up, he only wants to give others shine.
He's got mad game as a player, person, shoe enthusiast. He's that one humble youngster who I love to watch play, respect him like few others.
And I really respect Bol's father, Manute, who was just a few years older then me. Manute means "special blessing" in his Dinka language.
I read something that touched me that Manute said to the San Jose Mercury News, "God gave me [this] height. He gave me a chance to play in the NBA. I have a good life. I’m going to raise my kids to have the good life. I’m really happy with it.”
Wow! Bol’s dad, really great dude.
Me, growing up in 1983, I was 5-8 in 5th grade but in the course of a summer I grew 4 inches in 3 months. Growing pains hurt, me in 6th grade, I must've weighed like 140 lbs.
In 1985, when I was entering high school kids would call me Manute, as I was as skinny as Manute. I blocked tons of shots in games like Manute, I took it as a compliment to be called Manute, it became my cool nickname.
I didn't know back in the 80’s that Manute meant "special blessing," but I feel blessed to be doing a story on a cool kid named Bol. I respect his family, his game, and his future dreams.
Coming up in part 2:
Read what Bol thinks of Mater Dei and his move from Kansas, what was he tired of being called back in Kansas, and what is the latest on his recruiting.
