11 July 2019

Former basketball player's school visit is a slam dunk

The tallest basketball player in the world spoke to pupils at Kellands Primary School about the sport he loves as well aiming to inspire them when he attended the school’s Inclusion Day this week.

Pupils at the Inverurie school were attentive as Paul Sturgess told them about his basketball career which saw him leave the UK aged 14 on a basketball scholarship to Florida and eventually playing for the legendary Harlem Globetrotters, where he was known by the nickname ‘tiny’ and played in a number of exhibition games across the world. 

At 7ft 7.26 inches he was recorded as the tallest person to play professional basketball by the Guinness World Records in November 2011. He was also been recognised as the Tallest man in Britain in 2017.

Cllr Gillian Owen, Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee chair, said: “It is fantastic that young people from our schools have the opportunity to be encouraged by someone who has had such a such an impressive career. I hope Paul’s visit encourages pupils from Kellands to realise their ambitions.”

Committee vice chair, Cllr Mark Findlater said: “Assemblies and special events are important for schools as a way for pupils to be inspired to achieve their dreams, discuss topics of interest and importance and listen to life experience from a wide variety of people.”