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ANDERSON, Ind. -- Manute Bol, the 7-foot-7 former NBA player from the Sudan, plans to follow his brief stints in hockey and boxing with a venture into horse racing.
Hoosier Park announced Friday that Bol plans to "become the world's tallest jockey" on Oct. 18.
The track, about 30 miles northeast of Indianapolis, said Bol will become a licensed jockey with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission in an effort to raise money for his native country. The news release did not offer further details on Bol's plans on the race track.
It would not be the first time Bol has taken up a new sport in a promotion to support his Ring True Foundation, which raises money and awareness about problems in the civil war-torn Sudan.
On Nov. 12, 2002, Bol, who was known for blocking shots and shooting 3-pointers, agreed to terms to play with the Indianapolis Ice of the Central Hockey League. Four days later, he suited up for a home game, sitting behind the bench until his arthritic feet began to swell in his custom-made skates. He was out of uniform after one period of the game, which drew a season-high crowd of 5,859 to Conseco Fieldhouse. He did not return to the team.
Bol also once competed in Fox TV's Celebrity Boxing show and beat former NFL player William "The Refrigerator" Perry in a bout. Bol agreed to take part, so long as Fox agreed to air a toll-free number for the Ring True Foundation.
A member of the Dinka tribe, Bol was a second-round draft pick of the Washington Bullets in 1985.
He played 11 seasons in the NBA with four teams, blocking more shots per minute than anyone in league history. He retired from in 1995 after averaging 2.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in his career.
Hoosier Park announced Friday that Bol plans to "become the world's tallest jockey" on Oct. 18.
The track, about 30 miles northeast of Indianapolis, said Bol will become a licensed jockey with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission in an effort to raise money for his native country. The news release did not offer further details on Bol's plans on the race track.
It would not be the first time Bol has taken up a new sport in a promotion to support his Ring True Foundation, which raises money and awareness about problems in the civil war-torn Sudan.
On Nov. 12, 2002, Bol, who was known for blocking shots and shooting 3-pointers, agreed to terms to play with the Indianapolis Ice of the Central Hockey League. Four days later, he suited up for a home game, sitting behind the bench until his arthritic feet began to swell in his custom-made skates. He was out of uniform after one period of the game, which drew a season-high crowd of 5,859 to Conseco Fieldhouse. He did not return to the team.
Bol also once competed in Fox TV's Celebrity Boxing show and beat former NFL player William "The Refrigerator" Perry in a bout. Bol agreed to take part, so long as Fox agreed to air a toll-free number for the Ring True Foundation.
A member of the Dinka tribe, Bol was a second-round draft pick of the Washington Bullets in 1985.
He played 11 seasons in the NBA with four teams, blocking more shots per minute than anyone in league history. He retired from in 1995 after averaging 2.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in his career.
