Is Lake Michigan Admirals' 'Big Bob' Wegner, who is 7ft 8in, the tallest professional athlete?

Publish date: 2024-05-21

A basketball player who measures a whopping 7ft 8in is believed to be the world's tallest pro athlete.

Bob Wegner - or 'Big Bob' as he's known - is taller than current record holder British basketball player Paul Sturgess who stands at 7ft 7.26in.

The 21-year-old has a hand span of 28cm across and wears a U.S. shoe size of 23 (A UK 22).

Bob from Strafford, New Hampshire, plays for the Lake Michigan Admirals, making him the world's tallest professional sportsman.

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Above the rim: At 7ft 8in Bob Wegner, 21,is believed to be the world's tallest professional athlete Unsurprisingly, 'Big Bob' comes from a tall family - both his parents are over 6ft tall - and he has towered over classmates for as long as he can remember

Above the rim: At 7ft 8in Bob Wegner, 21,is believed to be the world's tallest professional athlete

Slam dunk: He is hoping that playing for the Lake Michigan Admirals - alongside two former Harlem Globetrotters - in the Premier Basketball League will help him hit the top levels of the sport

Slam dunk: He is hoping that playing for the Lake Michigan Admirals - alongside two former Harlem Globetrotters - in the Premier Basketball League will help him hit the top levels of the sport

Unsurprisingly, 'Big Bob' comes from a tall family - both his parents are over 6ft tall - and he has towered over classmates for as long as he can remember.

He has approached the Guinness Book Of Records in an effort to verify if he is indeed the tallest athlete and is waiting to hear back from them. 

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He said: 'From the ages of 13 onwards I was well over 6ft 6in and I towered well above my classmates.

'I've no idea why I'm so much taller than everyone else in my family - maybe I'm meant to do something extraordinary with my height.

Gazing up: Bob Wegner with fan Jaden. The player admits walking under doors and finding a bed that he can fit in is quite difficult The player admits walking under doors and finding a bed that he can fit in is quite difficult

Gazing up: Bob Wegner with fan Jaden. The player admits walking under doors and finding a bed that he can fit in is quite difficult

'Ideally I'd love to play for my hometown team - Boston Celtics - but I know I've got much more training and experience to get under my belt beforehand'

'Ideally I'd love to play for my hometown team - Boston Celtics - but I know I've got much more training and experience to get under my belt beforehand'

'Playing pro basketball has been my lifelong dream and being well over 7ft has helped me.

'Apart from that, I have mixed feelings about my height.

'It's fantastic being able to see further, and reach items way above anyone else.

'On the flipside, walking under doors and finding a bed that I can fit in is quite difficult.'

Mr Wegner has his sights set on following in the footsteps of basketball giants like his hero Shaquille 'Shaq' O'Neal and playing in the NBA.

He is hoping that playing for the Lake Michigan Admirals - alongside two former Harlem Globetrotters - in the Premier Basketball League will help him achieve that.

Chris Glisson - head of Lake Michigan Admirals - said: 'He has this uncanny skill of making the most vicious-looking dogs act like little puppies in his presence'

Chris Glisson - head of Lake Michigan Admirals - said: 'He has this uncanny skill of making the most vicious-looking dogs act like little puppies in his presence'

'Shaq' is his favourite player Bob's height allows him to sign autographs for fans in an unusual manner

Bob's height allows him to sign autographs for fans in an unusual manner

Mr Wegner has his sights set on following in the footsteps of basketball giants like his hero Shaquille 'Shaq' O'Neal and playing in the NBA.

Mr Wegner has his sights set on following in the footsteps of basketball giants like his hero Shaquille 'Shaq' O'Neal and playing in the NBA.

He said: 'I cannot help but mention 'Shaq' as my favourite player.

'The way he used his height and his power on the court to simply crush opponents with his skill was amazing.

'Ideally I'd love to play for my hometown team - Boston Celtics - but I know I've got much more training and experience to get under my belt beforehand.'

Chris Glisson - head of Lake Michigan Admirals - says he recognises the natural fascination everyone has towards Bob Wegner as the world's tallest pro basketball player.

Mr Wegner with a reporter from a news broadcaster. His team manager says people are fascinated by him

Mr Wegner with a reporter from a news broadcaster. His team manager says people are fascinated by him

Duck: Doors can present a problem for the world's tallest professional athlete

Duck: Doors can present a problem for the world's tallest professional athlete

Mr Glisson said: 'People gravitate towards Bob because of his height.

'Amazingly, animals are fascinated with him too.

'He has this uncanny skill of making the most vicious-looking dogs act like little puppies in his presence.

'He's a good guy, and beyond his incredible height he is a great human being.

'It's easy to forget he's still only 21-years-old, which is something the world of basketball should be excited about as he is still very much developing as a player, and of course as a young adult too.'

 

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