You may have already seen the highlights of Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough dunking on 7’7″, 360 pound UNC-Asheville C Kenny George earlier tonight ; I’m here to tell you it’s not that big a deal. If George (above) had either left his feet or taken a charge, you’d be seeing highlights of Hansbrough being carried from the floor on a stretcher.
On the other end of the floor, it would be incorrect to say George “throws it down”. He’s nearly capable of dropping the ball through the hoop while standing on tip toes. And with mobility barely better than that of George Wallace, he does an awful lot of just that — standing still.
That’s not to say George oughta leave his feet very often — he’s a goaltending call waiting to happen. But if his stamina improves even slightly, his shot-blocking/altering ablities are such that he’ll be a high NBA pick either this June or the draft following. And with that, I’ve gone far out on a limb for the first and last time this Thursday morning with the mind-blowing prediction a 7’7″ baller has a professional future.
The numbers on this kid are unbelievable:
7’7″, 360 lbs.
Averages 5 blocks and 9 boards in only 22 minutes per game
Wears size 28 shoes (custom made, since Nike doesn’t make anything larger than size 23)
But he has some serious knee issues that may be tough to overcome to be much more than a curiosity in the NBA.
This story delves into the “freak show” aspect at the end:
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/unc/story/869769.html
how about hansbrough took four steps after the dribble. thats traveling.
I did not appreciate this post. God makes everyone unique – fingerprints are a testament to this. To intimate that Kenny George’s time on the court is of no consequent – that he’s a goal tender waiting to happen – to even put the words “freak show” any where in reference to him, is an insult.
Lots of people did not believe in Vango, Benjamin Franklin or other successful people. We shoud build up each others accomplishments or efforts, not tarnish them!!!!!!
Sophia,
a) I didn’t call Kenny a “goal tender” waiting to happen. I wrote “he’s a goaltending call waiting to happen”, and that’s purely by virtue of his being able to reach over the rim so easily.
b) the words “freak show”, as penned by another commentator, were in reference to another journalist’s coverage of George. No one in this space has called Kenny a freak.
c) I believe in Vango with all of my heart. Go, Van, go!
He’s pretty much a heavier version of Manute Bol with less stamina and speed but is harder to push around so easily.
This is guy is literally capable of dunking a basketball barely having to stand on his tippie toes. His arm span is an incredible 8,6″ for christ’s sake and he can almost wrap his entire hand on the rim while standing flatfooted! Of course, he doesn’t need to even jump to be called for goaltending but I doubt he’s dumb enough to just stand undereneath the rim and just raise his arms up wanting for a goal tending violation to happen.