Robert Bobroczkyi is a young basketball player from Romania who became a media sensation because of his unbelievable height of 7’7″. He played in his home country and was encouraged to move to the United States in 2016. But there hasn’t been much news about him ever since. So, what happened to Bobroczkyi?
Who Is Robert Bobroczkyi?
The athlete was born in the Romanian city of Arad on July 17, 2000. Despite rumors of him having an overgrowth syndrome or a hormonal disease, he actually gets his tall stature from a healthy line of genetics.
His father, Zsigmond Bobroczky, is an international basketball player with a height of 7’1″. On the other hand, his mother, Brunhilde, was a handball and volleyball player standing at 6’1″.
Robert was taller than his mother when he turned eight, measuring 6’2″ tall, and when he was twelve years old, he had surpassed his father, towering 7’2″ tall. When he reached 7’7″, he made his high school basketball debut in 2017.
How Did He Become Famous?
He was recruited by A.S. Stella Azzurra, an amateur basketball organization in Italy, when he was 14 years old. He overpowered others due to his height. In Italy, he assisted the team in winning the under-15 national championship.
Video clips of him playing emerged online and quickly went viral in 2016. Aside from his height, his skills also made an impact. The Romanian giant has an enhanced mid-range jump shot and passing abilities, according to a scouting report on him.
Bobroczkyi, like most sportsmen of his size, was hindered on the court by his lack of muscle, stamina, and agility. He played limited minutes, but even so, he didn’t waste any time showcasing his talents.
What Happened to Robert Bobroczkyi?
After becoming internet famous and clinching a championship, the young prospect relocated to the US to get more opportunities. He lived in Geneva, Ohio and joined the SPIRE Institute and Academy, a preparatory school.
In order to beef up his physique for the transition to faster, more muscular American basketball, Bobroczkyi was placed on limited minutes during his rookie season. He made his first SPIRE Institute appearance on January 14, 2017.
He was a student at the adjacent Grand River Academy in January 2018 and in 2020, he enrolled at Rochester University. When the pandemic happened in 2020, he visited Romania for a while but returned the following year. He is now continuing his training in SPIRE.
What About His Personal Life?
Although his height was achieved without genetic flaws, Robert has still suffered with health issues. He got scoliosis, a disorder marked by a lateral curvature of the spine and lower back discomfort, at an early age.
Doctors’ initial concerns were about his health and whether or not he would stop growing. Fortunately, based on recent footage of him, it seems that his growth has stopped.
As for the player’s love interest, it seems that he is single and is focusing on improving his game. Other than this, there is not much known about his personal life. Robert will turn 23 this year and it looks unlikely he will make the NBA.