No George? Who's the next big story?
Posted: Monday, September 15, 2008 6:16 PM
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Mid-majors
Big ol’ bummer on Monday: We won’t be able to watch Kenny George this season.
UNC Asheville’s 7-foot-7 center had surgery on his right foot in his native Chicago this summer, but remains hospitalized. He’s not expected to return to school this semester.
Normally, a player of George’s size wouldn’t be mobile enough to truly make an impact on the court. But there have been exceptions (Shawn Bradley, Manute Bol, among others). But that’s why the news about George is such a bummer.
He was the Big South’s defensive player of the year after helping the Bulldogs win a school-record 23 games and reach the NIT last season. George averaged 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks.
Because of his size and hoops improvement, George became a mini-celebrity last season. Getting posterized by Tyler Hansbrough also helped boost his name recognition.
Without George, who will be this season’s giant story?
Unless you live in Florida, it won’t be Paul Sturgess.
Sturgess, a 7-7 center from England, played in 16 games last season for Florida Tech, but transferred Brevard Community College. Apparently, “Tall Paul” struggled to make the switch to the U.S. academic system.
Anyway, BCC rarely leaves the state. So count him out.
There are plenty of 7-footers around, but none are the size of George and Sturgess.
Tallest you could watch? That’s Gonzaga’s Will Foster (7-4), though he won’t see a lot of time for the Bulldogs.
That leaves us with UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet. He’s four inches shorter than George, but could be the Player of the Year. And who won’t settle for watching that?
