[4] Manigault set the NYC junior high school record by scoring 57 points in a game in the late 1950s.

While attending high school, Manigault's life took a fateful turn when he began associating with groups that would eventually lead to his expulsion.

[4] Manigault enrolled in Johnson C. Smith University but left after one semester due to his constant problems with school and continuous quibbles with the coach.

In an article for The New York Times, Manigault stated that he got the nickname because a junior high school teacher kept pronouncing his name Mani-Goat.

The "Happy Warrior Playground", situated on Amsterdam at West 99th Street in Manhattan,[5] is more commonly referred to as "Goat Park" where Manigault reigned.

It was refuted by Manigault himself in a CNN interview available on YouTube when he called the reports of this feat rubbish, stating not even The Goat could do that.

Gallagher writes: "Earl 'The Goat' Manigault is widely regarded as one of the greatest playground basketball players of all time.

There are a number of tales regarding Manigault's prowess, but the central story that propelled his legend was that he had such extraordinary leaping ability he could pull dollar bills off the top of the backboard and leave change.

[10] To prove dunking was not his only skill, he would practice hundreds of shots each day, making him an expert long-range shooter as well.

While incarcerated, Manigault was a subject in Pete Axthelm's book The City Game, which came to the attention of Utah Stars owner Bill Daniels.

[12] After he was released in 1970 at age 25, he hung on the Upper West Side, in and near the projects known as the Frederick Douglass Houses, often with close friends who enjoyed his humor and friendship, such as Sleepy Thomas, L. Byrd, and many others.

After shunning an offer from the Harlem Globetrotters, Manigault started the Goat Tournament, a summer tourney that would feature NBA stars such as Bernard King and Mario Elie.

He became a counselor and coach at East Harlem's La Guardia Memorial House, working for New York's Supportive Children's Advocacy Network.

His high-flying antics were credited with changing the game, paving the way for players including Julius Erving and Michael Jordan.