The NBA’s tallest player says children can be “scared” of him due to his 7ft 7in frame and he has to be careful going through doors — but he’s grateful for his height as it gave him his career in basketball.
Towering over most people, Romanian-born Gheorghe Muresan, 47, said people often stare at him when he is out in public. However, the former centre, whose extraordinary height was caused by a pituitary gland disorder, said he was now “used” to people’s reactions, adding that if he had not been tall his sport would never have “found him.”
Speaking before the O2 hosts the annual NBA London game between Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks tonight, Muresan said: “First time they see me, kids get scared, yes. Then they get used to it. Sometimes, people have a reaction. And these things in life you get used to. You have to learn to ignore stuff, people. You learn about low ceilings and doors.”
The player, who was drafted to the Washington Bullets in 1993 and retired in 2006 while playing for the New Jersey Nets, added: “Basketball found me. And it was the best thing that happened to me in my life. Because I play basketball, I got to play in the NBA, live in the United States. I was tall — that is the reason I play basketball. I didn’t play because I loved it. I played as I am tall. It has made my life.”
Muresan, who is tied with Sudanese player Manute Bol as the tallest player in NBA history, was in London for the first time to watch tonight’s match and attend training clinics for the NBA Jr League, the development programme for children aged 11 to 13.
He said after he retired he was looking for a way to “give back” and began training children both in the States, where he now lives in Washington, and in his native Romania, to provide young people with “opportunities I never had.” He added: “When I was six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 years old I didn’t have the opportunity to go to a camp. I started when I was 15 and I wish I’d had the opportunity to go to a camp. It is important to give a chance to the kids. When you put a ball in their hands, they fall in love with the game.”
Muresan, who starred in 1998 feature film My Giant with Billy Crystal and in the video for Eminem’s single My Name Is, did not rule out continuing his career in TV and films. “If I have the right opportunity and the right script I would,” he said. He has two basketball-playing sons — Gheorghe junior, who is 6ft 8in, and Victor, 6ft 9in. Muresan said he wanted them to“create their own path” in his sport.
“Gheorghe plays for Georgetown college and Victor is playing in high school,” he said. “I don’t want them to follow my path. They have to create their own. I hope they are going to do it in their own way. They are very beautiful, I am very proud of them. The most important thing for kids is to do what they love to do. You have to do what you love.”
Norwegian is the presenting partner of the NBA London Game 2019, serving 12 US destinations from London, including daily flights to New York, in modern aircraft with a Premium and Economy cabin
