Bol remembered as giant at funeral service

WASHINGTON | Manute Bol is being remembered as a giant on and off the court.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning for the 7-foot-7 former NBA player, who died June 19 at age 47.

Bol’s body was brought into the Washington National Cathedral in a specially built 8-foot casket. The service included representatives from the NBA and the Sudanese community who spoke of Bol’s efforts to build schools in his native country.

Bol became ill during his last trip to Sudan. He was hospitalized immediately after returning to the U.S. and died in a Virginia hospital from complications resulting from a painful skin condition and severe kidney problems.

He will be buried in Sudan near his grandfather’s grave.