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Proud Dinka warrior...Manute Bol was a ‘special blessing’

by Armon Gilliam
For New Pittsburgh Courier

Without question the most memorable teammate from my 14-year pro basketball career was the late Manute Bol, affectionately known as “Nutie” by his teammates and friends. Although his 7-7 stature made him stand out in any crowd and his presence inside the lane instantly commanded attention, it was his humanitarian efforts, unique background, humor and intelligence that I came to admire most.

Manute was a man of humble yet noble beginnings. Bol Nyuol, Manute’s great-great grandfather, was a chief of the Tuic Dinka tribe. His grandfather was also a very wealthy tribal chief who was said to have had 40 wives and 80 children. Although Manute’s father was not a tribal chief nor did he inherit the family wealth, he was a well-to-do tribe member. His father was said to have had 150 cows and held the honored position of tribal elder.

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HUMANITARIAN—Former NBA basketball star Manute Bol poses for a photograph at the Sunrise Sudan headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas, June 9.

Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28

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Misguided

Stop it America. Stop it immediately. Cease the madness.

I am a true red, white and blue-blooded patriot with stars and stripes running through my veins but I am in need of a transfusion, posthaste. I am becoming more ill by the day reading, hearing and seeing reports about the trials, tribulations and troubles of Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback Michael Vick.

Coupled with his actual deeds, some of this misinformation is manufactured and promoted by the blood­thirsty media, a few of whom seem to have a lynch mob, “Tea Party” mentality. Vick, however, does not get off the hook completely because by more than one account he is a professional football quarterback extraordinaire, but maybe a little less than that as a human being.

AubreyBruceBox

Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28

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Breaston, Short among 2010 WPIAL Hall inductees

Steve Breaston was one of the most exciting payers in WPIAL history. As a senior quarterback at Woodland Hills, he rushed for 1,718 yards, averaged 11.4 yards a carry and threw for 600.

A master of big plays, he was involved in 33 touchdowns as a senior, either running, passing or on punt returns. The average length of those TDs was 41.9 yards. He won a WPIAL track championship in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior and won the 400 as a senior.

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BIG PLAY MASTER—Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston shows off his 2010 WPIAL Hall of Fame award.

Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28

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Flenory still ‘gold standard’ for WPIAL basketball

Baron “B.B.” Flenory remains a legendary figure in high school basketball, in college basketball and to those in western Pennsylvania. Flenory was among 14 people inducted June 25 into the WPIAL Hall of Fame at the Embassy Suites in Coraopolis.

Flenory scored 1,800 points at Valley High School in New Kensington and was a Parade All-American as a senior, an accomplishment earned by only 12 other WPIAL or City League basketball players. He was Pennsylvania’s high school Player of the Year in 1976 and remains among the top 15 scorers in Duquesne University history.

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PROUD FAMILYB.B. Flenory, daughter Karma, mother Tally and father Charles celebrate the New Kensington great’s induction to the WPIAL Hall of Fame.

Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28

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Countdown over...pursuit of LeBron begins

(AP)—As speculation grows that a megateam could be created in Miami—the idea of Wade, James and Bosh together has been floated for weeks, and seems to be gaining steam with July 1 looming—Heat second-round draft pick Da’Sean Butler out of West Virginia has already figured out what position he’ll play if he was ever alongside that star-studded triumvirate. “Passer,” he said Monday.

Tweet of the Day Part I: Charlie Villanueva of the Detroit Pistons took to Twitter to start the NBA’s version of an international incident, predicting (or announcing?) that Bosh is leaving Canada’s team for South Florida. “Sorry to break Toronto’s heart, I love that city, but Chris Bosh is heading to Miami,” Villanueva offered.

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SKY’S THE LIMIT—In this Nov. 12, 2009 photo, Cavaliers forward LeBron James jokes with Heat guard Dwyane Wade during a game in Miami. For stars like Wade and James, the difference between staying with their respective teams and signing elsewhere could be about $30 million. Either way, a maximum contract for either likely would start around $95 million for five years, or $125 million for six years if Wade was to stay in Miami and James remain in Cleveland.

Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28

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