We are very sad to pass on news that Manute Bol, once the tallest player in the NBA and later an influential activist, has died at age 47.

Bol, who was hospitalized May 12 with acute kidney failure and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (a potentially deadly skin disease), was 47.

In May, we reported that Bol was hospitalized with a very painful skin condition.

Manute Bol's NBA career lasted ten seasons. He stood at 7'7", and when he made his debut, he was far and away the tallest player in NBA history. He led the league in blocks in 1985-86 and 1988-89. He spent his career with the Washington Bullets (now Wizards, of course), Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat.

After his basketball career, he spent a great deal of effort advocating on behalf of Sudan, his homeland. He frequently visited refugee camps in the impoverished nation. He made many contributions, but perhaps his most famous was his effort to raise money by appearing in a hockey game -- even though he couldn't skate.

Check out this post for a collection of video highlights from Bol's NBA career.

And for more on Manute Bol's passing and what he meant to fans, you'll want to check in with our Wizards blog, Bullets Forever, our Sixers blog, Liberty Ballers, and our Warriors blog, Golden State of Mind.