Sun Ming Ming
Sun Ming Ming of China is the featured player as a professional basketball team based in suburban Washington, D.C. this week achieved a Guiness Book world record by starting the tallest line-up in basketball history. VOA Sports editor Parke Brewer is at Sunday’s American Basketball Association game between the Maryland Nighthawks and the Cape Cod Frenzy and has the story.1
It looks like Rush Hour 3 will have its very own Chinese version of Andre the Giant. Named Sun Ming Ming, the Chinese basketball player standing in at 7 feet 9 inches will be just one of the foes Chris Tucker is supposed to take on.2
Sun’s early career included playing for the Junior Olympic team (U-18) and Daqing club, before coming to the United States in early 2005 to train for a possible NBA career. Sun is declared eligible in the 2005 NBA Draft, but is not selected, probably due to the common complaint of his lack of speed and stamina.3
But people stepped up, and Sun Ming Ming had successful surgery on the tumor that was pressing on his pituitary gland. The doctor says he should have a full and rapid recovery, and should see improvements to his endurance and fitness very quickly.4
Considering that he’s spent more time on talk shows than basketball courts the last few years, it’s no surprise that Sun is a long way from the NBA. The requisite YouTube highlight videos?including this one, which shows him banking in a series of unguarded layups?are most notable for what they don’t show: Sun Ming Ming running.5