Robert Bobroczkyi,[1][2][3][4] (born 17 July 2000) alternatively anglicized as Robert Bobroczky[5] and originally Róbert Bobróczky in Hungarian, is an ethnic Hungarian former college basketball player from Romania. 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 Christian University in Rochester Hills, Michigan, through the 2021–2023 season.
Early life
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
Youth
In 2014, Bobróczky was recruited by A.S. Stella Azzurra, an amateur-level basketball club based in Italy that produced NBApower forwardAndrea 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
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 Christian University, which spelled his surname as "Bobroczkyi" on their roster.[3]
College
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 Christian University JV roster.[19][4]
Personal life
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]
In 2024, Bobróczky made his acting debut as a Human-Xenomorph mutant (credited as "Offspring") in the sci-fi horror film Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez.[21]