Kenny George

Lore & Background

Kenny George was raised on the north side of Chicago, Illinois. His parents separated when he was 2, and he was raised by his father, Ken Sr. At age 15, an overactive pituitary gland caused him to grow to 6’11" by his sophomore year at the Latin School of Chicago. He was academically ineligible for his first season at UNC Asheville and missed his second season after dislocating a knee during preseason. He played for the Bulldogs from 2006 to 2008, listed at 7 ft 7 in but reaching 7 ft 9 in with shoes. In 2008, he was named Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned second-team all-Big South honors.

Reader's Guide

Kenny George's significance lies in his extraordinary height, which made him the tallest active college basketball player in the United States during his two seasons at UNC Asheville. Alongside UCLA's Mike Lanier, he held the record as the tallest player in college basketball history until Olivier Rioux of the Florida Gators surpassed them in 2024–2025 at 7 ft 9 in. George's defensive prowess earned him the Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008, highlighting his impact despite limited playing time due to injuries and academic issues. His legacy also includes a personal health challenge: in October 2008, he had his right foot partly amputated due to a MRSA infection, after which he relied on a larger custom wheelchair for mobility and advocated for public transport accessibility in North Carolina. His story underscores both the physical demands of elite basketball and the resilience required to adapt to life-altering medical events.

Did You Know?

• Kenny George was listed at 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) but reached 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m) with shoes.
• He was raised by his father, Ken Sr., after his parents separated when he was 2.
• In October 2008, his right foot was partly amputated due to a MRSA infection.
• He and UCLA's Mike Lanier were the tallest players in college basketball history until surpassed by Olivier Rioux in 2024–2025.