I remember the first time I walked into a professional basketball locker room - the doorframes seemed comically low, the chairs looked like children's furniture, and I had to consciously duck under every ceiling light. At 7'2", my entire life has been a series of adaptations that most people never consider. The recent news about the PVL introducing their first foreign referee for the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference semifinals made me reflect on how often we overlook the infrastructure supporting tall athletes. While everyone focuses on our scoring averages or rebound stats, they miss the daily reality of navigating a world built for people nearly two feet shorter.
Finding clothes that fit properly remains a constant battle - I've probably spent over $15,000 on custom tailoring throughout my career. Airplane seats feel like torture devices, with my knees pressed against the seat in front even before takeoff. The statistical reality is striking - while only about 0.0001% of the global population reaches 7 feet tall, approximately 17% of NBA players do. This creates a fascinating disconnect between our physical needs and standard accommodations. When I read about organizations like PVL making structural changes, whether introducing international referees or adjusting facilities, it signals recognition that the game's ecosystem must evolve alongside its athletes.
The physical toll extends beyond inconvenience. Studies suggest that athletes over 6'8" experience joint problems at nearly three times the rate of average-height individuals. My own medical records show I've had five knee procedures since turning professional, costing my team approximately $2.3 million in medical expenses and lost playing time. The irony isn't lost on me - the very attribute that makes me valuable on court systematically destroys my body off it. Every morning begins with a careful assessment of which body part decided to rebel overnight.
What fascinates me about the PVL's referee decision is how it represents the kind of systemic thinking that could benefit tall athletes beyond the court. If sports organizations can reconsider officiating standards, why can't airlines redesign seating for the 2.5% of passengers over 6'4"? Why don't more hotels install reinforced, extra-long beds? The market exists - there are approximately 280,000 people worldwide standing 6'10" or taller. That's larger than the population of many small cities.
The psychological dimension often gets completely overlooked. Constant staring in public places creates this perpetual awareness of being different. I've developed what I call "the supermarket strategy" - going grocery shopping at 2 AM when fewer people are around. The loneliness can be profound when you literally stand out everywhere you go. Research from the University of Connecticut suggests that extremely tall individuals report social anxiety at nearly twice the national average. We become walking landmarks before we're seen as people.
Basketball became my sanctuary precisely because it was the one place where being tall was normal. The court was designed for people like me - the rims at 10 feet, the three-point line at a distance that makes sense for my wingspan. But even within this tailored environment, challenges persist. The PVL's move to incorporate international refereeing perspectives mirrors how the game itself is evolving to become more inclusive at all levels. Honestly, I wish more industries would follow sports' lead in acknowledging physical diversity.
The economic reality of extraordinary height presents another layer of complexity. While my NBA salary sits comfortably in the millions, the hidden costs are substantial. Custom vehicles, reinforced furniture, specialized healthcare - these expenses easily reach six figures annually. I calculated that between customizations and replacements, I've spent over $75,000 on shoes alone throughout my career. The assumption that height automatically translates to easy success ignores these practical burdens.
What gives me hope are the small signs of progress. The PVL's decision to bring in foreign officials represents the kind of forward thinking that could eventually translate to better accommodations for tall individuals everywhere. If we can internationalize refereeing standards, why not apply similar innovative thinking to airplane design, clothing manufacturing, or furniture production? The technology exists - it simply requires the will to serve a niche market.
I've come to view my height as both blessing and burden, a physical reality that shapes every interaction and experience. The basketball court remains the one place where I feel completely at home in my body, where the dimensions align with my physical being. As sports organizations continue evolving their approaches - whether through international officiating or improved facilities - they create blueprints that other industries could follow. The challenge isn't just about making space for tall people, but about reimagining environments to accommodate human diversity in all its forms. Perhaps the most valuable lesson from my unusual perspective is that designing for extremes often creates better solutions for everyone.