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Globetrotters Center Can Dunk Without Even Jumping

Paul Sturgess can dunk without ever leaving the floorPaul Sturgess, the new center for the Harlem Globetrotters, can dunk without ever leaving the floor. 

Sturgess, who hails from Loughborough, England, played two seasons at Mountain State, an NAIA school in West Virginia. "Tiny" stands 7-8 and weighs 325 pounds. He is listed by Guinness as the world's tallest basketball player. 

As a 5-6, 14-year-old, Sturgess’ focus was on the sports of soccer and golf.  His stunning growth spurt began when he turned 15.

Now 24, Sturgess wears a size 22 shoe. He was "drafted" by the Globetrotters in August of 2011, along with Andrew Goudelock, who now plays with the Lakers.

For some reason, superstar soccer standout Lionel Messi, of FC Barcelona, was also drafted by the Trotters during the same draft. Messi is 5-7 and weighs 145 pounds.   

No word yet regarding Sturgess’ vertical leap.       

Below is a look at the nearly eight foot man’s unique skill.

 

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Bruce has traveled the world, both working for and covering a wide array of the sports world’s greatest events. Below is a sampling of the level of experience and perspective he brings to ifollosports.com.

OLYMPIC GAMES:  
Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Los Angeles 1984, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Salt Lake City 2002, Beijing 2008     
*Editor of the Official Report of the 1984 Olympic Games

PAN AMERICAN GAMES:   
Caracas 1983, Indianapolis 1987, Havana 1991, Mar del Plata 1995, Winnipeg 1999



WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES:   
Zagreb 1987, Duisberg 1989, Sheffield 1991, Buffalo 1993, Fukuoka 1995, Sicily 1997, Palma de Mallorca 1999 

USA TRACK AND FIELD:     
World Championships (Helsinki 1983), World Junior Championships (Athens 1986), World Cup (Rome 1981), World Cup (Havana 1992), Pan American Junior Championships (Barqisimeto 1982, Orlando 1986)  Editor of USATF annual calendar project (1980-1991) and Cross Country handbook (1979-1991) 

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: 
World Baseball Classics in 2006 and 2009.

ASSOCIATED PRESS     
Correspondent covering the Los Angeles Lakers and UCLA Bruins basketball, track and field, and swimming 1977-1989
  

A California native, Bruce is a 
graduate of UCLA and resides in Venice Beach.

 

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