Bol Bol

Bol Bol
No. 1 – Oregon Ducks
Position Center
League Pac-12 Conference
Personal information
Born (1999-11-16) November 16, 1999
Khartoum, Sudan
Nationality American
Listed height 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
Listed weight 235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school
College Oregon (2018–present)
Career highlights and awards

Bol Manute Bol (/boʊl/; born November 16, 1999) is a Sudanese-born American college basketball player for the Oregon Ducks of the Pac-12 Conference. A native of Khartoum, and a son of basketball player Manute Bol, he began living in Kansas from a young age. In high school, Bol was identified as one of the best players in the class of 2018, having been rated a consensus five-star recruit and earning McDonald's All-American honors. Standing 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) and weighing 235 pounds (106.6 kg), he plays the center position.

Bol started his high school career at Blue Valley Northwest High School, where he was assigned to the junior varsity team. He transferred to Bishop Miege High School in the middle of the season, but remained on junior varsity due to transfer rules. He joined varsity in his second year. As a junior, he moved to Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, rising in profile as a recruit. In his final season, Bol played for Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada. At the international level, he represents the United States but has never competed for them in FIBA tournaments.

Early life

Bol was born on November 16, 1999 in Khartoum, Sudan to Ajok Kuag and former National Basketball Association (NBA) star Manute Bol as their first child.[1] He was named after his late great-grandfather and Dinka chief Bol Chol Bol.[2] In 1998, after an American missile strike during the Second Sudanese Civil War, Manute was accused of being an American spy and was barred by the Sudanese government from fleeing to the United States.[2] In 2001, the family traveled to Cairo, Egypt, where they were stranded for many months due to visa problems, despite having acquired tickets to the United States from American friends.[2][3]

In the following year, when Bol was two years old, his family moved to Connecticut as designated political refugees.[2] Upon encouragement from his father, he began playing basketball at age 4, although he was initially reluctant.[4] Bol eventually began training with his father in the gym.[1][5] At age 7, he moved to Olathe, Kansas, a city with a large South Sudanese population.[5] As a 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) seventh grader, Bol featured in a highlight video[6] at an Indianapolis basketball camp that drew attention from CBS Sports[7] and The Washington Post.[8] His first NCAA Division I offer came from New Mexico State, when he was still in eighth grade.[9]

High school career

Bol began his career at Blue Valley Northwest High School (pictured), where he briefly played junior varsity basketball.

For the beginning of his freshman basketball season, Bol played for the junior varsity team of Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas.[4] Because he did not live in his school district, Bol transferred to Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Kansas where he continued his freshman season.[5] At age 14, he stood 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), but he was forced to remain at the junior varsity level until February 2015 because of transfer rules.[5][10] Bol made his debut for the Bishop Miege junior varsity team on December 11, 2014, displaying his shot blocking and shooting ability.[11][12] Despite becoming eligible on the varsity team by the end of the season, he did not earn playing time.[4] On March 4, 2015, sports website Bleacher Report compared him to a taller Kevin Durant.[13] In May, Bol played for his under-15 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team KC Run GMC at the Jayhawk Invitational in Kansas City, Missouri, scoring 15 points in one game.[14] By then, he was receiving interest from a number of NCAA Division I programs, including Kansas and Oklahoma.[14]

In his sophomore season, Bol was ranked as one of the top players in the class of 2018 by recruiting service 247Sports.[15] On January 6, 2016, in his fourth varsity game, he posted 16 points in a 59–57 upset loss to Hogan Preparatory Academy.[16] Bol contributed 14 points to help Bishop Miege win the Kansas Class 4A Division I state title game, 69–59, over McPherson High School in March.[17] After leading his team to a 22-win season, he earned class 4A-I first-team honors.[18] In April 2016, he received a scholarship offer from Kansas.[19]

Bol played basketball for Mater Dei High School (pictured) as a junior.

In November 2016, Bol announced that he was transferring from Bishop Miege to Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California for his junior year.[20] He was encouraged to join the program because of its head coach Gary McKnight.[21] Bol debuted for Mater Dei on January 24, 2017, recording 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks to coast past Orange Lutheran High School.[22] On February 24, he recorded 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks in an overtime win over defending national champions Chino Hills High School.[23] He scored 15 points in a March 4 loss to Bishop Montgomery High School at the CIF Southern Section Open Division title game.[24] On March 14, at the Open Division semifinals, Bol led Mater Dei with 15 points and 6 rebounds as they defeated St. Augustine High School.[25] He averaged 16.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game as a junior, leading his team to a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) runner-up finish.[18] During the season, he had received offers from Arizona, USC, and Oregon, as well as extended offers from Kentucky and UCLA.[26] In May, at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) with his team California Supreme, Bol averaged 25.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per game.[26]

Due to family reasons, Bol transferred to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada in November 2017, where he would play under head coach Paul Washington.[27] His head coach at Mater Dei said that Bol made the move due to "family reasons."[28] Shortly after, he committed to play college basketball for Oregon, choosing them over Kentucky.[29] Before the season, Bol was included among 20 players in the USA Today preseason boys' basketball team.[30] On November 27, 2017, he recorded 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a 66–61 win over Morgan Park High School at the Like Mike Invitational.[31] Bol scored 32 points in 21 minutes, shooting 14-of-17 from the field, in a January 14, 2018 rout of Immaculate Conception High School at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.[32] He was seleected for the 2018 McDonald's All-American Boys Game,[33] but was unable to play due to injury.[34] Bol finished his senior season at Findlay Prep averaging 20.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, earning All-USA Boys Basketball Second-Team honors from USA Today High School Sports.[35]

College career

Bol is set to debut for Oregon as a freshman in the 2018–19 season under head coach Dana Altman.[36] He is considered one of the best prospects for the 2019 NBA draft, although analysts have described him as a polarizing prospect in the long term.[36][37]

National team career

After taking part in training camp, Bol was a finalist to make the United States roster for the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.[1] However, he was later cut from the squad by head coach John Calipari.[38]

In April 2018, Bol drew attention at the Nike Hoop Summit, playing for the United States junior national select team.[1] He recorded 20 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals in an 89–76 loss to Team World, which was made up of international players playing high school basketball in the United States.[39][40]

Personal life

Bol's father Manute Bol was officially the second-tallest player to ever play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2010, Manute died from kidney disease and complications from the skin disorder Stevens–Johnson syndrome.[4][41] Bol has four siblings, including Madut, who played college basketball at Southern University and graduated in 2013.[1][42]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bol Bol". USAB.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Winn, Luke (July 11, 2017). "Bol Bol, five-star son of Manute, eyes potential to exceed on-court legacy of famous father". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  3. ↑ Roberts, Ben (June 19, 2017). "Bol Bol's basketball journey has taken him from Sudan to top UK recruiting target". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Goble, Corban (February 20, 2015). "Emerging From a Father's 7-Foot-7 Shadow". The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Bellinger, Sam (January 2, 2015). "Bol Bol, 14 years old and 6 feet 10, reaches for his father's heights". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Manute Bol's son Bol Bol is a 6'5 seventh grader with range like his dad". YouTube. October 8, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  7. ↑ Golliver, Ben (October 9, 2012). "Bol Bol, son of Manute, shows promise as 6-foot-5 middle school hoops prospect". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  8. ↑ Brooks, Matt (October 9, 2012). "Manute Bol's son looks to follow in his father's very large footsteps". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  9. ↑ Gordon, Sam (January 4, 2018). "Bol Bol adjusts to Las Vegas as he prepares for the future". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  10. ↑ McDowell, Sean (January 6, 2015). "15-Year-Old Bol already measures 6'10", has tall legacy to match". WDAF-TV. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  11. ↑ Hickman, Jason (December 11, 2014). "Bol Bol, son of Manute Bol, makes high school basketball debut at Bishop Miege in Kansas". MaxPreps. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  12. ↑ Grathoff, Pete (December 11, 2014). "Watch Manute Bol's son Bol Bol play on Bishop Miege's JV team". Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Finishing a Father's Dream: Manute Bol's Son Could Be a 7'4" Kevin Durant". Bleacher Report. March 4, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  14. 1 2 Bossi, Eric (May 2, 2015). "Bol shows promise at Jayhawk Invitational". Rivals. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Skilled 6-foot-10 sophomore Bol Bol, son of Manute Bol". MaxPreps. January 20, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  16. ↑ Bossi, Eric (January 7, 2016). "Bol starting to develop". Rivals. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  17. ↑ Chadwick, Joanna (March 12, 2016). "Switch in defense propels Bishop Miege boys to basketball state championship". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Bol Bol signs with Oregon". University of Oregon Athletics. November 20, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  19. ↑ Bedore, Gary (April 20, 2016). "Self offers Miege duo". Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  20. ↑ Sondheimer, Eric (January 3, 2017). "Bol Bol, son of Manute Bol, transfers to Mater Dei". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Mater Dei basketball star Bol Bol a towering figure like 7'7″ father Manute Bol". Orange County Register. March 10, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Bol Bol Stars in First Game at Mater Dei". Slam. January 24, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  23. ↑ Stephens, Mitch (February 24, 2017). "No. 5 Mater Dei gets revenge, outlasts No. 3 Chino Hills in California Southern Section playoffs". MaxPreps. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  24. ↑ Ugland, Devin (March 4, 2017). "Bishop Montgomery surges late to win Southern Section Open Division boys' basketball title". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Bishop Montgomery sinks Chino Hills' Ball party". Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  26. 1 2 Bossi, Eric (May 15, 2017). "Five-star Bol Bol realizing vast potential". Rivals. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  27. ↑ Sondeimer, Eric (November 10, 2017). "Bol Bol leaves Mater Dei for Findlay Prep". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  28. ↑ Halley, Jim (November 11, 2017). "Top center Bol Bol transfers from Mater Dei to Findlay Prep". USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  29. ↑ Allen, Scott (November 20, 2017). "Bol Bol, son of the late Manute Bol, commits to Oregon over Kentucky". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  30. ↑ Bezjak, Lou (November 28, 2017). "Zion Williamson earns national preseason honor". The State. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Bol overpowers Morgan Park in 66-61 win for Findlay Prep". Mars Reel. November 26, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  32. ↑ Weiss, Jared (January 14, 2018). "Bol Bol awakens the beast in second half in win over Immaculate Conception". USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  33. ↑ Daniels, Evan (January 16, 2018). "McDonald's All-American Rosters". 247Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  34. ↑ Bossi, Eric (March 30, 2018). "McDonald's AA Game: Ranking the week's top performers". Rivals. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  35. ↑ Halley, Jim (April 4, 2018). "ALL-USA Boys Basketball: Second Team". USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  36. 1 2 Caron, Emily (August 15, 2018). "Bol Bol, Louis King Anchor a Freshman Class That Should Have Oregon Excited". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  37. ↑ Flaherty, Kevin (September 6, 2018). "Oregon center Bol Bol has polarizing NBA Draft stock". 247Sports. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  38. ↑ Page, Fletcher (December 2, 2017). "Bol Bol on Calipari cutting him from U19 team: 'Everyone thinks I'm mad about it, but I wasn't'". USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  39. ↑ Skopil, Erik (April 13, 2018). "Bol Bol nearly logs triple-double at Nike Hoop Summit". 247Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  40. ↑ "World Team Unveiled for 2018 Nike Hoop Summit". USAB.com. April 6, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  41. ↑ Winn, Luke (July 11, 2017). "Bol Bol, five-star son of Manute, eyes potential to exceed on-court legacy of famous father". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  42. ↑ "Manute Bol remembered as 'also a giant off the court' at funeral". USA Today. June 29, 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.