Robert Wadlow, the Tallest Basketball Player in History

Robert Wadlow is the tallest basketball player in history. At 8 feet 11.1 inches tall, he towered over his opponents and was a force to be reckoned with on the court.

Robert Wadlow- an overview

Robert Wadlow (1918-1940) was the tallest basketball player in history. Standing at 8 feet 11.1 inches tall, he dwarf most other players of his day. Wadlow’s massive stature can be attributed to a condition known as gigantism, which is caused by an excess of growth hormone in the body. Although he never played Professional Basketball Wadlow was a member of his High School team and even played against future NBA legend George Mikan in an exhibition game. Sadly, Wadlow’s life was cut short by complications from his size; he died at the age of 22 from an infection that developed after he injured his ankle.

The tallest basketball player in history

At 8 feet 11 inches, Robert Wadlow is the tallest basketball player in history. He played for the Albion College Britons from 1936 to 1937. In his two seasons with the team, he averaged 8.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game

Wadlow’s early life and family

Wadlow was born on February 22, 1918, in Alton, Illinois. He was the tallest child ever born to parents Harvey and Addie Wadlow. At birth, he weighed 8.7 lb (3.9 kg) and was 22.5 in (57 cm) tall. According to his parents, Wadlow was a relatively normal baby who began walking at nine months of age. When he was two years old, he started wearing clothes made for adults rather than for children his age

Wadlow’s medical condition

Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man in medical history for whom the terms “gigantism” and “acromegaly” were coined, was born in Alton, Illinois, USA on February 22, 1918. The first of five children of Harold F. Wadlow and Addie Johnson Wadlow, he entered the world as a healthy baby weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces (3.8 kg) and measuring 21 and one-quarter inches (54 cm) long. According to his birth certificate, at age eight months he weighed 30 pounds (14 kg) and was 28 inches (71 cm) tall. When he was two years old he wore clothes made for a twelve-year-old, and by age four he had outgrown both his parents’ laps. His shoes were size 37AA when he was eight years old; by eighteen months of age they were size 4EEEEE.

Wadlow’s great height can be attributed to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland which caused an overproduction of human growth hormone during his childhood. He started wearing braces on his legs at five years old but they did not appreciably slow his growth; nonetheless, he eventually reached a height of 8 feet 11.1 inches (2.72 m). When Wadlow was ten years old, his father began taking him on tour with sideshows to earn money; when Wadlow turned eighteen, he joined the Ringling Brothers Circus as part of their “freak show”.

Wadlow’s incredible height

Standing 8 feet 11 inches tall, Robert Wadlow is the tallest basketball player in history.

Wadlow’s incredible height was the result of a rare condition called gigantism. Sufferers of gigantism produce too much growth hormone, which results in excessive growth.

Although there is no cure for gigantism, Wadlow’s condition was managed with a regimen of hormones and a special shoe designed to support his immense frame.

Despite his health problems, Wadlow lived a relatively normal life. He attended school and even played basketball on his high school team.

Sadly, Wadlow’s life was cut short by complications from an infection. He passed away at the age of 22.

Wadlow’s basketball career

Though Wadlow never played basketball professionally, he did play on his high school team. He was soon recruited by the Harlem Globetrotters who were impressed by his impressive height. Wadlow struggled with his height, however, and was eventually forced to give up basketball due to back problems.

Wadlow’s later years

Robert’s size began to take its toll in his final years. By the time he was 19, he required a steel brace to support his right ankle, which had become bowed under the immense weight of his frame. In 1936, shortly before his death, Wadlow underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his right leg. The operation was a success, but Wadlow’s health continued to decline. He developed an infection in his leg and began to experience problems with his heart and circulation. On July 15, 1940, Robert Wadlow died in his sleep at the age of 22.

Wadlow’s death

Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man in history, died on July 15, 1940, at the age of 22. Wadlow’s autopsy revealed that he had an enlarged heart and a slipping hip joint.

Wadlow’s legacy

Robert Wadlow is best remembered as the tallest basketball player in history, but his legacy extends far beyond that. Wadlow was an inspiration to many people throughout his life, and his story continues to inspire people today.

Wadlow was born in 1918 in Alton, Illinois. He was a normal-sized baby, but he began to grow at an extraordinary rate when he was just eight months old. By the time he was five years old, he was already over six feet tall. His growth continued unabated, and by the time he graduated from high school he was 8’11” tall.

Wadlow’s height made him a natural target for mockery and bullies, but he didn’t let it get him down. He became a public speaker for the International Shoe Company (which made shoes specially-sized for him), and used his platform to encourage people of all sizes to be proud of who they are. He also became an accomplished Basketball player and even played in a few exhibition games with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Tragically, Wadlow’s life was cut short by complications from his gigantism. He died in 1940 at the age of 22, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered as a kind and gentle giant who overcame adversity to become an inspiration to many.

Wadlow’s impact on basketball today

Though he passed away nearly 80 years ago, the impact of Robert Wadlow’s incredible height is still felt in basketball today. Standing at 8’11”, Wadlow was the Tallest Basketball Player in history, and his influence can still be seen in the game.

For one, Wadlow popularized the use of the tall man as a “rim protector.” In today’s game, there are few players taller than 7’0″, and they are typically used as shot blockers, patrolling the painted area near the basket to swat away any opponents’ attempts. This was a role that Wadlow excelled at, and his impact is still felt today.

In addition, Wadlow’s height also allowed him to be an excellent rebounder. He could simply outjump any opponents for loose balls, and his rebounding prowess was a big reason why his team was so successful. Though there are some tall players in today’s game who can rebound well, none have reached the heights (literally and figuratively) that Wadlow did.

So while he may have passed away many years ago, Robert Wadlow’s influence on basketball is still being felt today. His impact will likely be felt for many years to come.