Dr. Hrayr Shahinian, director of Los Angeles-based Skull Base Institute, who
performed the brain surgery on Sun in September 2005, said the condition was a
blessing and a curse for Sun, who barely needed to jump in order to dunk a ball.
"It is a curse because this disease, if it is left alone, if untreated, can
be fatal and he may die of heart failure right on the basketball court," he
said.
Robert Pershing Wadlow, who suffered from gigantism and died in 1940 from a
foot infection at the age of 22, is recognized by the Guinness World Records as
the tallest man in history at 8 feet 11 inches (272 cm). The tallest living man
is Xi Shun at 7 feet 8.95 inches.
By all accounts, Sun's recovery from surgery has been successful. But a tiny
piece of tumor remains lodged in his skull close to the carotid artery, the main
blood vessel from the heart to the brain, and the optic nerve.
Treatment could include radiosurgery or special drugs, both of which are
costly.
If he succeeds in playing in the NBA, Sun would be the tallest player in its
history, overtaking Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan, both 7 feet 7 inches (231
cm). Yao Ming and Shawn Bradley, both 7 feet 6 inches (229 cm), are the tallest
players currently in the league.
"The first thing you notice about Sun Ming Ming is that he's the largest
human being you'll ever see on Earth," said Bill Paolantonio, executive producer
of a (the) documentary about Sun. "It is an amazing feeling when he walks into
the room. He stops the room. He's that large."
The documentary, "Anatomy of a Giant," airs in the United States on the
Discovery Health channel on October 15. It follows Sun's journey from Harbin,
China, to his recovery in the United States after the three-hour brain surgery.
Sun's height is one thing that impressed Dale Osbourne, general manger and
coach of Dodge City Legend in Kansas and prompted him to sign Sun onto the minor
league team for a short contract in March.
The 360-pound player averaged only about 5 minutes per game, said Osbourne.
That compares to about 20 minutes for an average player.
"It's going to take time," said Osbourne. "He's got to continue to work hard
on his foot movement, continue to work hard on his stamina and he's got to
continue to hit the weight room and get stronger upper body and lower body
strength."
Sun is now training about five hours a day, yet still finding time to soak in
a little Americana, from learning English to eating new food; shopping to
playing pool and even getting a taste of night life.
"The dream that I had when I came to the United States has not changed," Sun
said. "It will be great if I can play in NBA one day. I will work as hard as I
can, do my very best to achieve that goal. But if it still can't happen in the
end, at least I will have no regret."
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