Kansas City, MOFormer NBA player Manute Bol has died at age 47. Bol was born in Sudan in 1962 and played basketball for the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat during his 10 seasons in the NBA. He reportedly developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome while in Sudan.
According to CNN (06/19/10), Bol died at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. At the time, he was undergoing treatment for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare skin condition that he was first reported to have in late May. He was also receiving treatment for severe kidney problems. Tom Prichard, Bol's friend, was cited by the Associated Press as saying Bol was unable to eat for 11 days because of pain in his mouth.
Prichard further said it is believed Bol contracted SJS in reaction to kidney medication he was given while in Sudan. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome causes the development of lesions in the mucous membranes and can result in large portions of skin falling off. It is believed to be caused by an allergic reaction to medications.
Although Bol was battling SJS, no official cause of death has been released.