Amanda Knapp
James Comey, the former director of the FBI, is 6-foot-8, making him one of the tallest men in the United States. Comey's impressive height has led some to wonder if he could have been a basketball player. In fact, Comey did play basketball in high school and in college, though he was never on the official William and Mary basketball team. Comey's height has also been a topic of discussion in relation to his career in law enforcement and his brief stint as a potential NBA player.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 8 in (2 m) |
| Age | 56 years old |
| Played basketball | In high school and college |
| Basketball skill | Unknown, but refused to play with Barack Obama |
| Career | FBI director, lawyer, author |
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What You'll Learn
James Comey is 6-foot-8, a height advantageous for basketball
James Comey, the former FBI director, stands at a towering height of 6 feet 8 inches (2 meters). This makes him one of the tallest men in the United States, with only one in 30,000 men in the country able to stand eye-to-eye with him or be taller. Comey's impressive stature has sparked discussions about his potential in basketball, a sport where height is often seen as a significant advantage.
Height can be a crucial factor in basketball, especially when it comes to reaching the professional level. According to data scientist Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, a person standing at 6 feet 8 inches has approximately a one-in-200 chance of making it to the NBA. While this chance is relatively slim, it still highlights the advantage that height can bring in the sport.
In the past, height was an even more important factor in basketball. Mr. Smith, an expert in the field, noted that "when I was growing up in the 1960s, if you were 6 ft 8 in, you were probably going to make the team." This perspective is shared by many, as height provides an advantage in areas such as rebounding, shot-blocking, and scoring close to the basket.
However, the game of basketball has evolved, and while height is still advantageous, it is no longer the sole determining factor in player selection. The recent expansion in the mathematical study of the game has led to a shift in focus, with more emphasis now being placed on long-distance shooting and overall skill set rather than solely on height. This evolution in the sport may have impacted Comey's potential career path, as he belongs to an older generation where height was a more crucial factor in player selection.
Despite the changing landscape of the sport, Comey's height still would have provided him with a significant advantage on the basketball court. His stature would have allowed him to easily grab rebounds, block shots, and score around the basket. Additionally, Comey's height may have enabled him to develop other aspects of his game, such as shooting and ball-handling, as he would have had more time and space to operate due to his height advantage over defenders.
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Comey played basketball in high school and in college
James Comey, the former FBI director, is 6 feet 8 inches tall, making him one of the tallest men in the United States. Comey played basketball in high school and continued to play intramural basketball in college at the College of William & Mary, though he was never part of the official team. In an appearance on the radio game show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" Comey shared a story about his law school days, in which his classmates assumed he had played college basketball due to his height. Tired of correcting them, he started responding with an affirmative nod, but later felt guilty and wrote letters to set the record straight.
Comey's height has sparked discussions about whether he could have had a career in the NBA. Data scientist Seth Stephens-Davidowitz calculates that someone who is 6'8" has about a one-in-200 chance of making it to the NBA, while a man over seven feet tall has about a one-in-seven chance. While height has historically been a significant factor in talent-spotting for basketball, the mathematical study of the game has led to a shift in focus towards long-distance shooting.
Comey's height also played a role in his relationship with former President Barack Obama. Comey refused to play in pickup games with Obama to avoid appearing too friendly with the president who appointed him as FBI director. This suggests that Comey still plays basketball occasionally.
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Comey refused to play basketball with Barack Obama
James Comey, the former FBI director, is 6-foot-8, making him one of the tallest men in the United States. Despite his height, Comey refused to play pickup basketball games with Barack Obama, the president who appointed him.
Comey's decision to decline playing basketball with Obama was likely influenced by his desire to maintain a professional distance between himself and the president. As an FBI director, Comey understood the importance of keeping the agency apolitical and avoiding any appearance of favouritism or coziness with the president. By refusing to engage in a casual activity like basketball, Comey drew a clear line between their professional relationship.
Comey's height has sparked discussions about his potential career in the NBA. Some have speculated that his height alone could have granted him entry into the league. However, Comey's friend, Benjamin Wittes, a Brookings Institution fellow, offered insight into Comey's character, suggesting that he was uncomfortable with President Trump's attempts to forge a close relationship. Comey went as far as to try and blend into the drapes of the White House Blue Room to avoid being singled out by Trump during a meeting. This incident highlights Comey's discomfort with appearing too familiar with political figures, which likely influenced his decision to refuse playing basketball with Obama.
In his public testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Comey expressed his commitment to maintaining ethical boundaries: "It makes me mildly nauseous to think we might have had some impact on the election. But honestly, I wouldn’t change the decision." Comey's refusal to engage in basketball with Obama can be understood within the context of his dedication to upholding ethical guidelines and preserving the integrity of his position as FBI director.
Comey's stance on this matter demonstrates his recognition of the potential implications of his actions on public perception and the importance he placed on maintaining a professional distance from the president, regardless of their shared interest in basketball.
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Comey's height may have helped him become FBI director
James Comey, the former FBI director, stands at 6 feet 8 inches, making him one of the tallest men in the United States. While his height may have helped him in his pursuit of a career in basketball, it is not the sole factor that determines success in the sport. Talent-spotting based on height has resulted in some remarkable success stories, such as Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Dirk Nowitzki, who were all talent-spotted for their height and went on to become basketball greats.
Comey's height may have been a contributing factor to his success in becoming FBI director, as it could have given him a commanding presence and an air of authority. Being physically imposing can be an advantage in leadership positions, as it can convey a sense of power and influence. Comey's stature may have helped him stand out and leave a lasting impression on those he interacted with.
Additionally, Comey's height may have given him a psychological edge in his career pursuits. Tall people often experience higher levels of self-confidence and assertiveness due to their physical dominance over others. This confidence could have aided Comey in navigating the political landscape and asserting himself in high-stakes situations, such as testifying before congressional committees or interacting with the president.
However, it is important to recognize that while Comey's height may have been a contributing factor, it was not the sole determinant of his success in becoming FBI director. Comey's extensive legal and law enforcement background, as well as his experience in various government positions, were likely far more significant factors in his appointment. His strong academic credentials, including studying chemistry and religion at the College of William & Mary, and his subsequent legal career, likely played a more substantial role in his appointment as FBI director.
Moreover, Comey's height may have presented challenges as well. Very tall individuals sometimes face social challenges or health issues related to their height. Comey's height may have attracted attention and scrutiny, and he may have had to work harder to ensure his height did not become a distraction or hinder his professional pursuits.
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Comey's height was a topic of discussion on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me
James Comey, the former FBI director, appeared on the radio show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" as a celebrity guest. During his appearance, Comey's height of 6 feet 8 inches was a topic of discussion. Comey shared a story from his law school days, where his classmates assumed he had played college basketball because of his height. Tired of correcting them, Comey started agreeing with their assumption. However, after law school, he felt guilty and wrote his friends letters to correct the record.
Host Peter Sagal teased Comey about his height and the story, saying, "I think I might be the first person to ever say this to you, but Jim Comey, couldn't you have [played basketball]?" Comey's height is considered exceptional, with only one in 30,000 men in the United States being as tall or taller. This led to speculation about whether Comey could have had a career in the NBA solely based on his height.
Data scientist Seth Stephens-Davidowitz calculated that someone who is 6'8" has about a one-in-200 chance of reaching the NBA. He compared estimates of Americans' heights with the recorded heights of NBA players. However, Mr. Smith, an expert in the field, disagreed, stating that in the 1960s, someone who was 6'8" was likely to make a basketball team, but now they may have a better chance of a career in the FBI.
Comey's height and its potential impact on his athletic abilities sparked further discussions about talent-spotting in basketball. Players like Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Dirk Nowitzki were not talent-spotted until their late teens due to their height. Comey's height and its implications for his potential basketball career added a layer of humor and intrigue to his appearance on "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!".
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, James Comey, the former FBI director, played intramural basketball in college and in high school. He is 6 feet 8 inches tall, which is considered a height more suited for the NBA than for the FBI.
Yes, James Comey played intramural basketball while he was in college at the College of William and Mary. However, he was never on the official William and Mary basketball team.
No, James Comey refused to play pickup games with Barack Obama, who was the president who appointed him as FBI director.
No, James Comey did not play basketball professionally. He pursued a career in law and later became the director of the FBI.
