Robert Bobroczkyi,[1][2][3][4] alternatively anglicized as Robert Bobroczky[5] and originally Róbert Bobróczky in Hungarian (born 17 July 2000), is a former Romanian college basketball player. Standing 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in), he has drawn attention for his exceptional height. After moving to the United States in 2016 and attending high school in Geneva, Ohio, he attended and played for Rochester University in Rochester Hills, Michigan, through the 2021–2022 season.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 July 2000 Arad, Romania |
| Nationality | Romanian |
| Listed height | 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) |
| Listed weight | 231 lb (105 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
|
| College | Rochester University JV (2021-Present) |
| Position | Center |
| Career history | |
| 2014–2015 | Stella Azzurra |
Early life edit
Bobróczky was born in Arad, Romania,[6][5][7][8] the son of 2.17 m (7 ft 1 in) tall Hungarian-born Romanian international basketball player Zsigmond Bobróczky (who competed alongside Gheorghe Mureșan,[9][10]) and Brunhilde, a 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) former volleyball and handball player. At age eight 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. As such, he was taller than Robert Wadlow was from the ages 8 to 13 years. He has been the subject of medical studies nearly his entire life, leading to the prevailing opinion that his height is a result of healthy genetics (i.e. familial or constitutional tall stature), not a hormonal disease or overgrowth syndrome. Bobróczky weighed just 190 lb (86 kg) at the time of his high school basketball debut in January 2017,[11] and with a height of 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in), he was considered underweight, with a body mass index (BMI) of 16.1.[12]
Career edit
Youth edit
In 2014, Bobróczky was recruited by A.S. Stella Azzurra, an amateur-level basketball club based in Italy that produced NBA power forward Andrea Bargnani.[13] A scouting report on him noted that Bobróczky 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, Bobróczky was limited by his lack of muscle mass, endurance, and mobility on the court. His tremendously awkward gait and threat of exhaustion forced Bobróczky to play limited minutes after helping the team win its under-15 championship title. Despite his limitations, Bobróczky became an internet sensation in early 2016, as videos surfaced of him dominating much shorter competition during a game with Stella Azzurra.[14]
High school edit
In 2016, Bobróczky moved to Geneva, Ohio, in the United States to attend the college-preparatory school SPIRE Institute and Academy.[15] Entering his freshman season, Bobróczky was put on a minutes restriction as he attempted to bulk up his physique for a transition into faster, more physical American basketball.[16][17] On 14 January 2017, Bobróczky made his debut for SPIRE Institute.[5] As of January 2018[update] he was attending the nearby Grand River Academy.[18]
In July 2020, Bobróczky committed to Rochester University, which spelled his surname as "Bobroczkyi" on their roster.[3]
College edit
He returned to Romania shortly after classes began due to the COVID-19 pandemic in fall 2020 but returned in fall 2021,[2] again with the spelling "Bobroczkyi" on the Rochester University JV roster.[19][4]
Personal life edit
As a high school senior, Bobróczky wore US size 17 shoes and had a 140 cm (57 in) inseam.[1]
Bobróczky speaks Romanian, Hungarian, English, Serbian, and Italian.[20][1]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Stubbs, Roman (26 January 2018). "7-foot-7 at 17". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ a b "RU Student and Dr. Klint Pleasant to be featured on HBO's 'Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel' October 19 • 10 p.m." Rochester University (Press release). 18 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ a b "RU Men's Basketball Signs Robert Bobroczkyi". Rochester University Athletics. 21 July 2020. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Men's Basketball Roster: Robert Bobroczkyi". Rochester University Warrior Athletics. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ a b c "Watch: 7-foot-7 freshman Robert Bobroczky makes varsity basketball debut". Sports Illustrated. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "Robert Bobroczky". nbadraft.net. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "Kosárlabda: Amerika megőrül a 231 centis romániai magyar óriásért". Nemzeti Sport. 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Meet Robert Bobroczky, a 7-7 high school freshman". Tar Heel Times. 8 December 2016.
- ^ "Egészség és boldogság - Bobroczky Róbert, a legmagasabb". feol.hu. 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Zsigmond Bobroczky Basketball Player Profile, West Olympia Phoenix Arad, News, Liga I stats, Career, Games Logs, Best, Awards – eurobasket". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ Corcoran, Tully (14 January 2017). "A 7-foot-7, 190-Pound 16-Year-Old Made His High School Basketball Debut Last Night". The Big Lead. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Naber, Ibrahim (25 January 2017). "Basketball: Robert Bobroczky (16) war mit zwölf so groß wie Dirk Nowitzki heute". Die Welt (in German). Archived from the original on 11 November 2020.
Bei einer Größe von 2,31 Meter bringt der Rumäne nur 86 Kilogramm auf die Waage. Das entspricht dem Body-Mass-Index von 16,1 eines Erwachsenen – deutliches Untergewicht
- ^ "Stella Azzurra signs 14-year old, 226cm prospect Robert Bobroczky". sportando.com. Retrieved 21 January 2017.[dead link]
- ^ Macklin, Oliver. "Meet Robert Bobroczky: Europe's 7-foot-6, 15-year-old basketball player". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Ostrander, Lynden. "7-foot-7 Romanian freshman Robert Bobroczky plays high school basketball for SPIRE Institute". maxpreps.com. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Dampf, Andrew. "Teen basketball giant, attempting to bulk-up with pasta". cbc.ca. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Clapp, Matt. "The second-tallest basketball player in the world made his American high school debut". MSN. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Schonbrun, Zach (26 January 2018). "A Teenager's Basketball Dream Is Size XXXXXL". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ "What Happened to Robert Bobroczky?". TechieGamers.com. Techie + Gamers. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Towering Teenager Has Scouts Buzzing". The New York Times. Associated Press. 19 December 2015.