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World's Tallest Basketball Pro Struts Stuff on Top of Empire State Building

By Mathew Katz | February 13, 2012 2:47pm

MIDTOWN — As the world's tallest basketball pro, 7-foot-8 Paul "Tiny" Sturgess' always has his head in the clouds.

But even he felt small on top of the Empire State Building.

"I love city life, but this is a whole different level," he said while surveying the buildings below on Monday. "This is definitely an amazing view."

Sturgess, a Harlem Globetrotter, took a trip to the top of the Empire State Building along with teammate Herbert "Flight Time" Lang and a group of kids from the Garden of Dreams Foundation, which brings unique experiences to disadvantaged children.

"He's so big!" one girl shouted at the sight of Sturgess. "He's bigger than the Empire State Building."

Sturgess and Lang spent their time at the top of one of the city's most iconic building showing off their trademark Globetrotter tricks, spinning a basketball on one finger while marvelling at the view.

With size 20 feet and an epic reach, Sturgess was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest pro-basketball player in November 2011. He doesn't even need to jump to dunk a ball.

He's originally from the English town of Loughborough, which delighted dozens of screaming British students coincidentally visiting the 86th floor Observatory Deck.

"England, represent!" Sturgess shouted. "I'm going to add a little Euro flow to the Globetrotters."

Lang, who's used to celebrity attention after being featured in "The Amazing Race" twice, said he liked traveling and playing with Sturgess.

"Usually, people in airports all come up to me," he said. "Now they're running up and taking pictures of him."

The Globetrotters are playing at four arenas in the New York area starting on Feb. 17. They'll play at Madison Square Garden at Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.