Robert Bobroczky

Robert Bobroczkyi
No. 23 – SPIRE Institute
Position Center
Personal information
Born (2000-07-17) July 17, 2000
Arad, Romania
Nationality Romanian
Listed height 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m)
Listed weight 195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school SPIRE Institute (Geneva, Ohio)
Career history
2014–2015 Stella Azzurra

Robert Bobroczkyi, Americanization Bobroczky[1], (born July 17, 2000) is a Romanian basketball player for the SPIRE Institute near Geneva, Ohio, United States. Measured at 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in), Bobroczkyi first gained attention for his height, drawing comparisons to professional basketball players of similar heights such as Manute Bol and fellow countryman Gheorghe Mureșan. He is currently listed as the tallest player in European basketball.

Biography

Bobroczkyi was born in Arad, Romania,[2] the son of Zsigmond Bobroczky, a former basketball player, 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) tall,[3] and Brunhilde, a former volleyball and handball player, 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in). At age 8 he was taller than his mother, at 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) tall, and by the age of 12 he reached a height of 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in), surpassing his father. He has been the subject of medical studies nearly his entire life, leading to the prevailing opinion that his height is a result of genetics, not a hormonal disease.[4]

In 2014, Bobroczkyi was recruited by A.S. Stella Azzurra, an amateur-level basketball club based in Italy that produced NBA power forward Andrea Bargnani.[5] A scouting report on him noted that Bobroczkyi possessed an improved midrange jumper and passing ability, and his physical attributes made him an obvious mismatch against any of his opponents. Like most players of his stature however, Bobroczkyi was limited by his lack of muscle mass, endurance, and mobility on the court. His tremendously awkward gait and threat of exhaustion forced Bobroczkyi to play limited minutes after helping the team win its Under-15 championship title. Despite his limitations, Bobroczkyi became an internet sensation in early 2016, as videos surfaced of him dominating much shorter competition during a game with Stella Azzurra.[6]

Later his family moved him to Geneva, Ohio so Bobroczkyi could attend a certified American Olympic and Paralympic training facility called the SPIRE Institute.[7] Entering his freshman season, Bobroczkyi was put on a minutes restriction as he attempted to bulk up his physique for a transition into faster, more physical American basketball.[8][9] On January 14, 2017, Bobroczkyi made his debut for SPIRE Institute.[10] As of January 2018 he attends nearby Grand River Academy.[11]

As of 2017, Bobroczkyi is currently the tallest European basketball player and the second tallest in the world, behind Paul Sturgess, who played in what is now known as the NBA G League.[9] As a high school senior, Bobroczkyi wears size 17 shoes and a 57 in (140 cm) inseam.[1]

Bobroczkyi speaks Romanian, Italian, English, Hungarian and Serbian.[12][1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Stubbs, Roman (January 26, 2018). "7-foot-7 at 17". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-01-29.
  2. ↑ "Robert Bobroczky". nbadraft.net. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Zsigmond Bobroczky Basketball Player Profile, West Olympia Phoenix Arad, News, Liga I stats, Career, Games Logs, Best, Awards - eurobasket". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  4. ↑ Corcoran, Tully. "A 7-foot-7, 190-Pound 16-Year-Old Made His High School Basketball Debut Last Night". thebiglead.com. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Stella Azzurra signs 14-year old, 226cm prospect Robert Bobroczky". sportando.com. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  6. ↑ Macklin, Oliver. "Meet Robert Bobroczky: Europe's 7-foot-6, 15-year-old basketball player". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  7. ↑ Ostrander, Lynden. "7-foot-7 Romanian freshman Robert Bobroczky plays high school basketball for SPIRE Institute". maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  8. ↑ Dampf, Andrew. "Teen basketball giant, attempting to bulk-up with pasta". cbc.ca. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Clapp, Matt. "The second-tallest basketball player in the world made his American high school debut". msn.com. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  10. ↑ "7-foot-7 freshman Robert Bobroczky makes varsity basketball debut". si.com. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  11. ↑ Schonbrun, Zach (January 26, 2018). "A Teenager's Basketball Dream Is Size XXXXXL". The New York Times. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  12. ↑ Associated Press (Dec 19, 2015). "Towering Teenager Has Scouts Buzzing". The New York Times.
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