Big Boy At North Carolina Asheville

[High 5]

Big challenges and spicy 'Lights'

At 7-foot-7 and 360 pounds, George is too big to fit behind the wheel of a car.

When the UNC-Asheville basketball team goes on road trips, the local bus company removes two seats in the back so George can extend his legs. He has to sleep diagonally to fit into hotel beds, and in class George often sits on the floor because he can't squeeze into a chair.

Suffice to say, the next time someone leans their seat back on an airplane, I probably won't complain.

George, a Chicago native, may be the tallest player in the history of college basketball. And while it may seem cool to dunk without leaving your feet, the truth is that his situation isn't always that fun.

Especially when it comes to travel.

Imagine talking with a friend in an airport and being interrupted every few sentences by a fan wanting a picture. Or being stared and pointed at as you chew your food at a restaurant.

It really is tough not to feel for George. He's college basketball's bearded lady, and everyone, it seems, wants a peek.

"There are times," George has told reporters, "that I wish I weren't so tall."

More and more these days, the Bulldogs are becoming protective of their friend and teammate.

"I feel bad for him," guard K.J. Garland told the Associated Press. "You go into a restaurant and he's not normal. He can't enjoy a normal meal. I try to take up for him at times. I'll tell people to back off a little bit. He's done a tremendous job of dealing with it."

Being under the spotlight has caused George to become soft-spoken and shy. He doesn't enjoy doing interviews and tries to avoid discussions about his health.

Gigantism is a condition in which a tumor on the pituitary gland causes an oversecretion of growth hormone. Deceased pro wrestler Andre the Giant

[High 5]

Hopefully he's able to live a long life. Not sure what the statistics on people with gigantism are. I look forward to seeing him in the NBA if he's able. It's pretty funny watching him dunk without jumping. Videos on YouTube have this little white kid trying to body him and he acts like he's not even there.

[JoshB914]

Usually if guys are that tall and at mid majors it's because hey have no bball skill whasoever. Good luck to him though.

[raleigh]

I took several graduate classes at UNC-Asheville, so I saw him on campus a couple of times. He is mind-blowingly tall. By all accounts, he's a super guy, too.

I was in Salt Lake City years ago the same time they were having some international basketball exhibition and got on the elevator with 5 or 6 tall guys. I've never felt so short in all my life.

[Rip2137]

He has shotblocking talent without fouling. His conditioning would be an issue, of course. But if you played a team that liked to grind it out in the half court, he would be a good big to activate just for that game.

[ACE_reppin_ATL]

Kenny George has some potential but CONDITIONING will be the issue that will decide whether he can have a career in the NBA or not. I would mind the Hawks taking a chance on him in the 09 draft with a 2nd round pick.

[graymule]

Being a subscriber to the Asheville paper, I have read quiet a bit
about this young man.

He hasn't been playing BB for a lot of years and his skill level, from
all reports, have vastly improved since last season.

Hawks could sure use him in a couple of years if he stays healthy
and is available when we draft in the second round. But, if he
continues to improve, he won't be there as a second round pick.

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[GST23]

A local TV station did a recap of the UNCA-UTenn game earlier this year. They showed George fighting for position with a 6'10" UTenn player. It looked like Shaq taking on Allen Iverson.

[frosgrim]

I saw him play v. UNC-CH (the Tarheels)
My impression is that he's really big, and really slow. All of his movements are slow. He got outworked by Psycho-T. Once T figured out that he could out-quick George, T went off. His slow play actually means he doesn't get as many rebounds as you would think he should get. Strength wise, I think he's OK, but not great. His size makes it hard to judge. My feeling is that a strong, athletic player in the NBA would move George all around the court.

Conditioning is a huge issue for George as well. He really can't run. I think he got 19-22 minutes in the UNC-CH game.

In all, he's an interesting player, but I don't think he'll be more than a reserve in the NBA.

[gsuteke]

I've seen him play on TV.

he can't get up and down the court. unfortunately his greatest asset will also keep him out of the NBA.

he literally can't play full court ball at a high level.