Kenny George
American retired basketball player (born 1986)
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Kenneth George Jr. (born c. 1986)[1] is an American former college basketball player. Listed at 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m), he was the tallest basketball player in the United States during the two years he played for the UNC Asheville Bulldogs.[2] George and Mike Lanier of the UCLA Bruins were the tallest players in the history of college basketball until they were surpassed in 2024-2025 by Olivier Rioux of the Florida Gators at 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m).[3]
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(Chicago, Illinois)
George with the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in 2007 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1986 (age 39–40) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) |
| Listed weight | 370 lb (168 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Latin School of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) |
| College | UNC Asheville (2006–2008) |
| NBA draft | 2010: undrafted |
| Position | Center |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Early life and education
George was raised on the north side of Chicago, Illinois.[2] His parents separated when he was 2 and he was raised by his father, Ken Sr.[2]
At the age of 15, he had an overactive pituitary gland issue that caused him to grow to a height of 6’11” by his sophomore year at Latin School of Chicago.[citation needed]
College career
George was academically ineligible for his first season with the UNC Asheville Bulldogs and missed his second season after he dislocated a knee during preseason.[2]
George played for the Bulldogs from 2006 to 2008.[4][5] He was listed as 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) but reached 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m) with shoes.[2] George was selected as the Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned second-team all-Big South honors in 2008.[6][7]
Career statistics
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
Personal life
In October 2008, George had his right foot partly amputated due to a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.[6][8] After this, George have to rely on larger custom wheelchair for mobility, George advocate public transport accessibility within North Carolina.