Those lessons are needed, but Bol is a poor example. He did not spend his income on a lavish lifestyle and blow his money partying - he had, throughout his career, donated most of his income to his family, his Country, and those in need. Even though he has no money now, he still donated his 'celeb boxing' fee to charity. Manute Bol is not a poster boy for NBA excesses.
Around the same time I recall reading an interview with him where he stated that money didnt mean much to him, since in his country a man with a few heads of cattle was how wealthy was defined, and he routinely donated several heads of cattle to various villages and friends over there. I do admit, I find it hard to believe that he blew his millions buying cows for africa. More likley he blew it the same way most other NBA and/or hollywood types do: fast cars, expensive clothes, gambling, maybe other things too. But that doesnt make me happy to see his life ruined by the Sudanese thugs.