Amanda Knapp
Kenny George is a former college basketball player who played for the UNC Asheville Bulldogs from 2006 to 2008. Standing at around 7 ft 7 in, he was the tallest basketball player in the United States during his college career and may have been the tallest player in the history of college basketball. However, his career was plagued by injuries, including knee problems and a serious infection that ultimately led to the partial amputation of his right foot. Since his basketball career ended, George has kept a low profile, but there have been reported sightings of him in places like Siberia and Australia, and he is said to have interests outside of sports, including writing, graphic design, and animation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kenneth George Jr. |
| Nicknames | The Biggest Bulldog, Big Friendly George, Big Bird, Psycho-T |
| Height | 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) to 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m) |
| Weight | 370 pounds |
| Shoe size | 26 |
| School | Chicago Latin High School |
| College | UNC Asheville Bulldogs |
| Major | Mass Communications |
| Hobbies/Interests | Graphic design, animation, cartoons, comic books, writing short stories |
| Career aspirations | Movie director |
| Basketball career highlights | 2008 Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year, second-team all-Big South honors in 2008, led the nation in field goal percentage at 69.6 percent (151-of-217) in 2007-08, set a school record for blocked shots with 93 |
| Injuries/Health issues | Overactive pituitary gland, knee issues (including dislocations), partial amputation of right foot due to MRSA infection |
| Current whereabouts | Unconfirmed sightings in Siberia and Australia, rumored to have played in the Russian Super League and the Czech Republic's NBL |
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What You'll Learn
Kenny George's right foot partial amputation
Kenny George Jr., born around 1986, is an American former college basketball player. Standing somewhere between 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) and 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m), he was the tallest basketball player in the United States during his two years playing for the UNC Asheville Bulldogs.
George's height was due to an overactive pituitary gland, which caused him to grow to a height of 6'11" by his sophomore year at Latin School in Chicago. He struggled with his large frame, dislocating his knees twice and enduring other injuries.
In August 2008, George returned to his Chicago home from a summer camp for big men in Las Vegas with an infection in his right foot. Doctors suggested he see a specialist, and he was hospitalized in Iowa, battling a life-threatening infection. The infection was identified as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a difficult-to-treat antibiotic-resistant staph infection transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.
George underwent several surgeries and fought for his life. In October 2008, he had to undergo a partial amputation of his right foot due to the MRSA infection. The exact date of the amputation is unclear, but it occurred around three weeks before October 18, 2008, when the news was reported.
Despite this setback, George's coach, Eddie Biedenbach, expected him to return to campus and complete his degree in mass communications. Biedenbach emphasized that there was more to George than just basketball, and he was well-liked by the students at the school.
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Overactive pituitary gland and abnormal growth
Kenny George, born in 1986, is a former college basketball player from Chicago, Illinois. At 15, he was diagnosed with an overactive pituitary gland, which caused abnormal growth spurts that led to his towering height of 7 feet 7 inches to 7 feet 9 inches. This condition, known as hyperpituitarism, results from benign tumours in the pituitary gland, causing it to produce excessive hormones. In George's case, it led to gigantism, a form of abnormal growth.
An overactive pituitary gland can cause various disorders through the release of excess hormones. One such disorder is Cushing's syndrome, characterised by the overproduction of cortisol, which regulates stress, metabolism, and immune responses. Acromegaly is another disorder where elevated levels of growth hormone in the bloodstream lead to abnormal bone and tissue growth. Enlarged hands and feet, facial changes, and increased shoe or ring size are common symptoms.
Hyperthyroidism, a rare condition, can also develop from an overactive pituitary gland. It occurs when a pituitary tumour induces the thyroid gland to become hyperactive, increasing metabolism, heart rate, and anxiety. The condition is marked by excessive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) production.
Kenny George's remarkable height, a result of his overactive pituitary gland, made him the tallest basketball player in the United States during his time with the UNC Asheville Bulldogs. However, his basketball career was plagued by injuries, including knee issues and a serious infection in his right foot, which ultimately led to its partial amputation in 2008.
The overactive pituitary gland caused significant physical changes in Kenny George, contributing to his towering height and potentially impacting his health and well-being. While his condition may have granted him a unique advantage on the basketball court, it also presented challenges and health risks that affected his athletic career and life.
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Knee injuries and surgeries
George's knee issues were likely due to his immense size; at 7'7" or 7'8" tall and weighing around 370 pounds, his knees had to support a lot of weight. This led to him missing games due to swollen and sore knees, and he saw limited action during the 2006-2007 season to manage his knee pain. Despite this, George was able to average 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and two blocks in just 10.5 minutes per game during that season.
George's knee problems continued, and he underwent surgery on his kneecaps, causing him to miss two more seasons. It is unclear exactly when this second surgery took place, but it appears to have been sometime before the 2007-2008 season, during which he played well for the Bulldogs.
In addition to his knee issues, George also suffered from an overactive pituitary gland, which caused his abnormal growth and may have contributed to his joint problems. Despite his injuries and physical limitations, George was a skilled and respected basketball player, known for his shot-blocking abilities and impressive field goal percentage.
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Post-basketball career and privacy
After his basketball career, Kenny George has kept a low profile and consistently declined to comment, citing a desire for privacy. He has reportedly been spotted in Siberia and Australia, and there are internet rumours that he played in the Russian Super League in 2011 and then in the Czech Republic's NBL. However, these reports are unconfirmed.
George has expressed interest in a variety of creative fields outside of sports, including graphic design, animation, cartoons, and comic books. He majored in Mass Communications at UNC Asheville and has written several short stories. He also had a desire to become a movie director. George's size presented some challenges in everyday life, such as fitting through doorways and using public transportation.
Standing somewhere between 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) and 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m), Kenny George was the tallest basketball player in the United States during his two years with the UNC Asheville Bulldogs. His height was the result of an overactive pituitary gland, which was diagnosed when he was an adolescent. This condition led to abnormal growth, causing him to reach 6'11" by the age of 15. Despite his impressive height and basketball skills, George's career was plagued by injuries, particularly to his knees, due to his nearly 400-pound frame.
In 2008, George suffered a serious infection in his right foot, which led to a staph infection and ultimately resulted in the partial amputation of his foot. This brought an end to his basketball career, and he has maintained his privacy since then.
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Interest in graphic design and animation
Kenny George, the former college basketball player who stood at a towering height of 7'7" to 7'9', had a promising career ahead of him. However, his journey was fraught with challenges due to his immense physical stature. Aside from his basketball prowess, George had a range of interests that extended beyond the court.
George had a passion for graphic design, animation, cartoons, and comic books. This creative side of him is intriguing, given his athletic prowess on the court. While he majored in Mass Communications at UNC Asheville, his heart seemed to lean towards the visual arts. It is speculated that he desired a life outside of sports, with aspirations of becoming a movie director in the future.
George's interest in graphic design and animation may have provided him with an outlet for self-expression beyond the basketball court. It is not uncommon for athletes to have diverse interests and passions that enrich their lives and provide a sense of balance. Graphic design and animation, in particular, offer a unique medium for storytelling and creative exploration.
Additionally, George's interest in these fields could have opened doors to other career opportunities. With his background in mass communications, he could have potentially worked in media, advertising, or even game development, blending his athletic experience with his creative pursuits.
While George's basketball career was cut short due to health complications, his passion for graphic design and animation might have played a role in shaping his post-basketball life. It is unknown if he pursued these interests further, but they undoubtedly contributed to his character and provided him with skills that could be valuable in various endeavours.
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Frequently asked questions
Kenny George stood at 7'7" without shoes and 7'9" with shoes.
Kenny George played for the UNC Asheville Bulldogs.
Kenny George suffered from an overactive pituitary gland, which led to abnormal growth. He also struggled with injuries, including dislocated knees and a staph infection that resulted in the partial amputation of his right foot.
Kenny George's height and wingspan made him an excellent shot-blocker. He was also able to dunk the ball without jumping and showed improvement in free-throw shooting.
Kenny George has kept a low profile since his college basketball days. There were rumours that he played in the Russian Super League and then in Australia, but these reports are unconfirmed.
