| Advanced: The Tallest Basketball Player Ever |
| Sunday, 27 January 2008 | |
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It seems that Kenny George can't go anywhere nowadays without someone asking for an autograph or a picture, in part because of his athletic prowess on the college basketball court. In only twenty minutes of play time per game, he averages 12.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks. But people gawk at him because he also happens to be the tallest basketball player ever. At 7 feet 7 inches (234 centimeters) and 360 pounds (163 kilograms), he really stands out in any crowd. Although most would consider it very cool to slam dunk without any leap whatsoever, George faces a number of not so cool difficulties. For starters, unable to get behind the steering wheel of a car, he's never learned to drive. Moreover, whenever the team goes on a road trip, the bus company has to remove two seats so George can comfortably sit. He also sits on the floor of many of his classes because the desks don't fit. Kenny George suffers from gigantism, a condition in which the pituitary gland secretes too much growth hormone. The pro-wrestler Andre the Giant is likely the most notable athlete in recent years affected by this condition. Gigantism has made the twenty-two year old George extremely self-conscious, and he hates conducting interviews. The questions inevitably turn to his health, size, and condition. (Knee problems required him to sit out much of his sophomore year.) His teammates have become quite protective of him, however, and they tell people to back off and give their friend some room. Along with a passion for basketball, graphic design and animation vie for George's attention. He has wished he weren't so tall, and he eventually hopes for a career in comics or animation. Yet a stint in pro-basketball trumps these plans, and George wants to play for the NBA first.
1. I would want people to ask for my autograph and take pictures wherever I go.
2. I wish I were tall enough to play pro-basketball. 3. I would become shy if people often stared and pointed at me. 4. It's good to be different and stand out from the crowd. 5. If a person becomes famous, he/she loses the right to privacy.
1. Kenny George is famous in part because of his athletic ( ) on the college basketball court.
2. But people ( ) at him because he also happens to be the tallest basketball player ever. 3. Whenever the team goes on a ( ), the bus company has to remove two seats so George can sit. 4. Kenny George suffers a condition in which the pituitary gland ( ) too much growth hormone. 5. Andre the Giant is likely the most ( ) athlete in recent years affected by this condition. 6. Gigantism has made the twenty-two year old George extremely ( ). 7. The questions ( ) turn to his health, size, and condition. 8. Along with a passion for basketball, graphic design and animation ( ) for George's attention. 9. Yet he hopes for a ( ) in pro-basketball. 10. Pro-basketball ( ) graphic design and animation, and George wants to play for the NBA first.
1. In addition to the problems listed in the article, what other difficulties do you think Kenny faces?
2. How would you feel if people often stared and pointed at you? What would you do?
3. If you were able to interview Kenny George, what three questions would you ask?
4. Would you want an extraordinary life if you also had an unusual physical condition that made life difficult?
5. Some people believe that celebrities, sports stars, politicians, etc. lose their right to privacy. Do you agree?
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