USA: BASKETBALL - The Harlem Globetrotters unveil new member Paul 'Tiny' Sturgess, the world's tallest basketball player, at the top of the Empire State Building in New York

Record ID: 860711

  • Title: USA: BASKETBALL - The Harlem Globetrotters unveil new member Paul 'Tiny' Sturgess, the world's tallest basketball player, at the top of the Empire State Building in New York
  • Date: 14th February 2012
  • Summary: STURGESS AND LANG POSING WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN
  • Embargoed: 29th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA51BVS2D58P82EXGLGVTL97KQV
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  • Story Text: New York City's tallest building was a fitting backdrop for the unveiling of the newest member of the Harlem Globetrotters, 7-foot, 8-inch-tall (2.37 meter) Paul 'Tiny' Sturgess.
    Sturgess and his teammate Flight Time Lang posed with school children on the 86th-floor observation deck to the delight of the children and other gathered Globetrotter fans.
    Sturgess, the first British player to play for the team, said he really enjoys being a Globetrotter.
    "It's great, I love every moment of it," said Sturgess.
    "I get to do fun stuff like this at the top of the Empire State Building, top of the world, just having a great time doing what we do, putting smiles on people's faces," he added.
    Born and raised in England, Sturgess is the tallest player ever to play for the Globetrotters.
    "I'm adding a little bit of 'euro flow' to the Globe Trotters," said Sturgess.
    Team mate Flight Time Lang said he "definitely enjoys having him on the team."
    "It's awesome. It's always nice to have a big guy like this. We've had a couple guys over seven foot on our roster before, but none as big as him and he has a great personality. Fans love him," said Lang.
    Asked how he got his nickname 'Tiny', Sturgess said, "I kind of make people look tiny whenever I step on the court."
    The Harlem Globetrotters bring a combination of athleticism, entertainment and humor to the usually serious game of basketball. Since their inception in 1926, they have performed in over a hundred countries and can count among their alumni some of the greatest players of all time, including Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins.
    So as a big man on the Globetrotters, Sturgess has big shoes to fill. But if public reaction at the Empire State Building is any gauge, he looks like he's already a fan favorite.
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