Tallest player in the nation has part of his foot amputated
October 20, 2008 by Kevin Hunter
Filed under Basketball
The 2008-09 season hasn’t even started yet and we already have a player out with a terrible malady.
According to the Asheville Citizen Times, Kenny George, the 7-foot-7 inch senior center from North Carolina Asheville had part of his right foot amputated due to a life-threatening antibiotic-resistant staph infection.
It was reported this summer by the school that George, the tallest player in the nation would sit out this semester because of a foot infection. He started feeling discomfort in his leg in August after attending Pete Newell’s Big Man Camp in Las Vegas. He returned to his native Chicago where a doctor recommended immediate surgery. He has been hospitalized in Iowa since.
George was 360 pounds and wore size 26 shoes as a result of an overactive pituitary gland. That and the two major knee injuries caused him to miss nearly three full seasons.
George averaged 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs last season. He was named the Big South Conference’s defensive player of the year blocking 93 shots while leading, the Bulldogs to a school-record 23 wins. He also lead the nation in field-goal percentage (.696).
We wish George all the best and for a speedy recovery.
