UNC Asheville's Kenny George, at 7-foot-7 the nation's tallest college basketball player, will not play this year amid reports part of his right foot was amputated.

George needed surgery after contracting a staph infection, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported. ESPN.com said the 22-year-old player had surgery three weeks ago and is expected to remain in an Iowa hospital for at least another month.

George's height and weight—he was listed at 360 pounds last season and wore size 26 shoes—is the result of an overactive pituitary gland. George, who stands 7-9 with shoes, could dunk flat-footed and towered over most players. But he had two major knee injuries, among other problems, and missed nearly three full seasons....

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