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.

Post from: EveryJoe

Tallest player in the nation has part of his foot amputated

In no particular order and in no particular feeling of confidence either:

**** Scoff at it, just get mad at it UofA fans. Your team will lay an egg this year but totally get hot and win the NIT.

^ Addition by subtraction in Texas—ludicrous to say maybe, but D.J. and A.J. were beguiling wonders on the court that irrevocably held back the Longhorns from placing more impactful punches against stronger fighters.

$ The Spartans will further cement themselves as the college version of the 21st century Detroit Pistons. Each has won one championship, yet both fan bases are becoming impatient with the standstill success. So much talent yet so little to show for it.

#!#@ Calling Conference USA a power conference was a little wishful. That statement, although made while sober, still feels dirty, but it could end up alright. Just hoping Vaden or some other power conference guy can make a run at the scoring title.

? Calling Northwestern a NIT team was an undemonstrative springboard to tomfoolery, as this season I will probably be glued to all news NW basketball, akin to the energy I gave them during the Jitim Young and Tavaras Hardy days.

(Preview of Big Ten season)—Probably the most accurate prediction of the Big Ten season as you will find, minus the Michigan placement. No Big Ten quality pg will be available to suit up for the Wolvies until the second semester.—-

% Hasheem Thabeet is ready for a monster year and a long run into the tourney. It would not be surprising to see the Huskies stay in the top 5 for the entire season, especially if Thabeet can average 14.5ppg, 9 reb and more than 4 blk. Just think about the terror an offensively skilled Thabeet would be.

高人 Speaking of impact big men, one should keep an eye out for UNC-Asheville’s Kenny George. When fresh, he’s really not much different than your rudimentary 7 foot center, except for the fact George can regularly hit free throws and, while this might not seem feasible, still surprises many guards with his length. After awhile you’d think they would find new ways to attack a 7’7 dude, but often they make the same mistake over and over. However the time to attack George is when he’s sucking major air. Not exactly an original idea, yet, for huge guy, the opportunities present themselves much more frequently.

It’s almost as of George has decent enough foot speed to move laterally and react, but it’s the body that often takes awhile to catch up. If the coach can really substitute him frequently and wisely, UNC-Asheville will be the best in the Big South.

The next two are direct matchup predictions.

$$$ The Big Ten will once again fall to the superior ACC and it will, as it has always been, be because of the significant back of the conference weakness’s of the Big Ten. Need I go further?

\&/ The Fighting Irish will beat the Tar Heels in the finals of the Maui Invitational.

So with that out of the way,

#1

My pick to win the whole enchilada.

Discuss.

photo credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Ahhh Finally

He’s a tower.

Though sometimes the coach can’t get him out of the game quick enough.

The game’s pace often times leaves George doubled over after just a minute or so. Lots of 5 on 4’s result. Gotta have the big man in there, but, to a point.

And yet, when his minutes are finely controlled, George can wreak havoc on any team on any end of the court.

Against the UNC Tar Heels last year, Kenny put up 14 points, 11 boards and 4 blocks in 24 minutes of action.

Will Kenny’s role ever expand?

07/08 stats- 19.4 min/gm, 69.6 % fg, 65.2 % ft, 3.3 blk, 12.4 ppg, 7 reb

If George can play a strong 25 min/gm and block at least 4 shots while improving on his ppg and rebounding averages, Asheville will win another 20 games and be invited to another postseason tourney.

The more Kenny is “in the game”, the chances Asheville can compete for the conference crown rise dramatically.

This will be the year the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs will win the Big South tourney and go dancing.

Post from: EveryJoe

Prediction 7: Less is actually more

Two words – Kenny George.

If you have not been paying attention to college basketball this year, you may have missed 7′7″ Kenny George, who plays for UNC Asheville.

That’s right – I said 7′7″. Seven feet, seven inches.

Yes, he can dunk a basketball without jumping (at 360 pounds, he might not be able to jump over a phone book, but that’s besides the point…)

Check out the video clip to see George in action.

Post from: EveryJoe

Big South conference tourney recap