- Second tallest man ever to play in the NBA, standing a few millimeters shorter than Romanian player Gheorghe Dumitru Muresan.
- Played one year of college basketball at the University of Bridgeport.
- Drafted by the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Clippers in the 5th round of the 1983 NBA Player Draft out of the University of Bridgeport. Re-drafted in the 2nd round of the 1985 Draft by the Washington Bullets (now Wizards). He played for the Bullets, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors and the Miami Heat.
- Son of a Dinka tribal chief. "Manute" means "special blessing."
- First played basketball at age 18 and chipped his teeth on the rim when he first tried to dunk.
- In 2001, he went to Sudan and was held against his will by the ruling Islamic government because of his support of the Dinka-led Christian rebels in that country's long-running civil war; he has given most of his fortune to their cause. He escaped to Egypt, and managed to return to the United States in 2002.
- Charged with hitting his daughter, cutting her lip and interfering with a police officer. (13 February 2004)
- Attended Cleveland State University despite not having a strong command of written English.
- Blocked 397 shots as a rookie in the 1985-1986 season, which is the second highest single-season total in NBA history. Only rookie ever to lead the NBA in blocked shots for a season. Had two games that season where he blocked 15 shots.
- Only player in NBA history with more lifetime blocked shots (2,086) than points scored (1,599).
- He is survived by his second wife, Ajok of Olathe, Kansas and ten children including four with his second wife. He is also survived by a nephew, Mayom Majok.
- From 1985 to 1993, he was the tallest player in the National Basketball Association.
- (June 30) Seriously injured with two cracked vertebrae in his neck, head and internal injuries, and facial lacerations when the cab in which he was riding hit a guardrail and swerved across both lanes before hitting a rock ledge and rolling over, killing the driver and throwing him from the car. (2004)
- Is now slowly recovering from injury. (September 2004)
- Has now recovered fully from a painful car accident. (December 2005)
- Inducted into the University of Bridgeport [Connecticut] Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
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