Former NBA center Manute Bol passed away at the age of 47 from complications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a fatal skin condition, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.
The Washington Post reported that the cause of death was linked to a reaction Bol had to medication he received while on a humanitarian mission in Africa.
"On behalf of the entire Philadelphia 76ers organization, we would like to pass along our deepest and sincerest condolences to the family of Manute during this very difficult time," Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski said.
"Manute's impact on [Philadelphia], our franchise and the game of basketball can not be put into words.
He was a person who was continually giving of himself through his generosity and humanitarian efforts in order to make the world around him a much better place, for which he will always be remembered."
Bol, a native of Sudan who was the Bullets' second-round pick out of the University of Bridgeport, played 10 years in the NBA (1985-95) for Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami.
In 624 career games, the 7-foot-7 Bol posted averages of 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per contest.
Though a gangly presence on the court, his immense height allowed him to be a force nonetheless. Bol twice led the NBA in blocked shots -- with Washington in his rookie season of 1985-86 and again with Golden State in 1988-89. He recorded at least 200 blocks in each of his first seven seasons.
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