Kenny George: Basketball’s Gentle Giant
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Kenny George was a 7-foot-tall basketball player who had a heart as big as his stature. He was known for his gentle nature and for being a great teammate. Kenny passed away in 2015, but his legacy continues on through the people who knew him best.
Kenny George: A Basketball Star
Kenny George is a giant among men. At 7 feet 7 inches tall, he is one of the tallest basketball players in the world. George was born with acromegaly, a condition that results in excess growth hormone production. As a result, he began growing at an extraordinary rate when he was just a child. By the time he was in High School he was already 6 feet 10 inches tall.
George’s height has both helped and hindered his basketball career On the one hand, his size gives him an advantage over other players; on the other hand, his condition makes it difficult for him to run long distances and makes him more susceptible to injuries.
Despite these challenges, Kenny George has had a successful basketball career. He played for the University of North Carolina at Asheville from 2006 to 2008 and was named the Big South Conference Player of the Year in 2007. He then went on to play professionally in Europe and Asia before returning to the United States to play for the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League (now known as the G League).
Kenny George is an inspiration to people all over the world who face challenges in their lives. He shows that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
George’s Early Life and Career
Kenny George was born on December 21, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, Kenneth and Joyce George, were both physical education teachers. Growing up, George was always taller than his peers and began playing organized basketball in fifth grade. By the time he reached high school he was 6-feet-9-inches tall and continued to grow, eventually topping out at 7-feet-7-inches. He played Varsity Basketball for Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois, and was named to the All-State team as a senior.
George accepted a scholarship to play basketball at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As a freshman in 2004-05, he appeared in 26 games and averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game The following season, George saw his playing time increase to 29 minutes per game and he averaged 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds. He had his best season as a junior in 2006-07 when he averaged 13.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 60 percent from the field. AfterConsidering leaving school early to enter the NBA draft George decided to return for his senior season in 2007-08. That year he averaged 12.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 52 percent from the field
George’s Time with the UNC Asheville Bulldogs
Kenny George spent his first two years of college basketball at Chipola junior college in Marianna, Florida, redshirting his first year. He then transferred to the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNC Asheville) and played two seasons for the Bulldogs. In his second season, George averaged 15.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.4 blocks per game, leading the Big South Conference in blocks. He was named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press (AP) and was a finalist for the NABC Defensive Player of the Year Award
George’s Battle with Acromegaly
In 2008, George was diagnosed with acromegaly, a rare condition caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland that produced excess growth hormone. The tumor was pressing against George’s optic nerve, causing vision problems. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor, and while it was successful in restoring his vision, George’s height and weight were unaffected.
George’s Road to Recovery
Kenny George, once one of the tallest college basketball players in the nation, had to have his right leg amputated below the knee in 2012. The 7-foot-7 center had been diagnosed with a rare condition called arteriovenous malformation, which is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels. George’s story captured the attention of people across the country who were amazed by his courage and resilience.
George, who played for the University of North Carolina at Asheville, was determined to return to the court and made an incredible comeback. In 2014, he became the first person to ever dunk two basketballs at once while wearing a prosthetic leg. He now works as a Motivational Speaker sharing his inspiring story with others who are facing challenges in their lives.
George’s Return to Basketball
Kenny George made headlines in 2007 when, at 7-foot-7, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening tumor on his pituitary gland. After successful surgery and treatment, George returned to action in 2009 as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters Standing 10 feet tall when he dons his trademark Afro wig, size 22 shoes and 6XL jersey, George is now the tallest player in the history of Professional Basketball
George’s Legacy
Kenny George, who passed away tragically in 2013, was one of the tallest basketball players ever. At 7’7″, he towered over his opponents and was a force to be reckoned with on the court.
George’s legacy, however, goes beyond his impressive physical stature. He was known for his gentle nature and his infectious smile, which delighted fans and teammates alike. In spite of his size, George was a gentle giant, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
George’s Impact on the Game
Much like Shaq, George was an unstoppable force in the post and could score at will. He averaged 22.1 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game during his career, but his impact on the game went beyond the Stat Sheet George was one of the first truly big men in College Basketball standing at 7-foot-7 and weighing in at 400 pounds. His size was so rare that there was no one else in the country who could match up with him, which made him nearly impossible to guard. Even though he only played two seasons of College Basketball George left a lasting impact on the game and is considered one of the pioneers of big men in basketball.
George’s Personal Life
Kenney George is best known for his time playing basketball with the University of North Carolina at Asheville from 2004 to 2008. George was born on March 6, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois. He was diagnosed with acromegaly, a Rare Disease that results when the body produces too much growth hormone, when he was just 13 years old. George stands 7’7″ tall and weighs 360 pounds. He is one of the tallest Professional Basketball Players in the world. Despite his large size,George is a gentle giant who is known for his kind personality and his love of children.
George has been married to his wife Courtney since 2010. They have two daughters together: Kennedy (born 2012) and Kendall (born 2014). George is also very involved with his community and spends time coaching youth basketball teams
George’s Future
Kenny George’s college basketball career is over, but he has many options for his future. He can continue to play basketball overseas, become a coach, or pursue a career in broadcasting. George is still deciding what he wants to do, but he is open to all options.