By love-89.com **Interview with Paul Mokeski: The Unique Experience and Challenges of Being 7 Feet Tall in the NBA**
**Interviewer:** Paul, your journey as a professional athlete has been quite remarkable. Can you tell us about your experiences, especially when traveling?
**Mokeski:** Traveling to places like China for basketball clinics was amazing. I often felt like Godzilla to the locals. At 7 feet tall, I drew a ton of attention—people would come out of stores just to point at me, as if I were a character from a fairy tale. It’s something that comes with the territory when you’re this height.
**Interviewer:** Height has always been significant in the NBA. Do you think that perception is starting to evolve?
**Mokeski:** Absolutely. For a long time, height ruled the court, but players like Steph Curry have definitely changed that perception. Still, being 7 feet tall in general society makes you stand out—there are fewer than 3,000 seven-footers in the world. For someone like me, it means I’m always in the spotlight. I’ve become so accustomed to it; I can’t imagine living any other way!
**Interviewer:** You must have attracted a lot of attention growing up. What was your teenage experience like?
**Mokeski:** My situation was unique—my dad was 6’4″ and my mom was 6′. By seventh grade, I was already 6 feet tall, and by my senior year, I reached 7 feet. While my height certainly helped my basketball career, it also made me a target for constant stares and ridiculous questions. I was asked about my height at least 20 times a day for years!
**Interviewer:** That sounds tiring. Did you ever have any particularly frustrating interactions?
**Mokeski:** Absolutely! One of the most annoying moments was when people would ask how tall I am, and I’d respond, “7 feet,” only for them to insist, “No, you’re not!” Sometimes my friends would jump in with silly comments just to deflect the question. Even now, my wife has to deal with absurd questions about me at parties, like, “How tall is he?”
**Interviewer:** It must feel overwhelming at times. How does your height impact your daily life?
**Mokeski:** No doubt! Everyday life can feel a bit repetitive. People are always saying, “Man, you’re tall.” Thanks for stating the obvious! Even flight attendants treat me as if ducking my head before boarding a plane is a new concept to me.
**Interviewer:** You’ve faced off against other tall players as well. How does that camaraderie play out?
**Mokeski:** Yes, I often connect with Robert Parish, the former Celtics center. We share stories about the highs and lows of being tall. While we enjoy certain advantages, like having a better line of sight or reaching things others can’t, there are numerous physical challenges—like finding adequate accommodations, clothing, and for me, the personal frustration of not enough tall women around!
**Interviewer:** As you’ve matured, have those physical challenges intensified?
**Mokeski:** Definitely. Over the years, I’ve gone through foot surgeries, knee and hip replacements, and dealt with screws in my size 15 feet. Carrying a large frame definitely takes a toll. Finding properly fitting replacements or even comfortable airline seats can be quite a challenge. The human body really isn’t designed to be this tall! That said, my height has opened doors to an incredible life. I played professionally for over a decade and traveled a lot. Sometimes I wonder if I would have had even more opportunities, like head coaching roles, if I were just a few inches shorter.
**Interviewer:** Looking at the new generation, what are your thoughts on players like Victor Wembanyama?
**Mokeski:** He’s impressive! The way he trains is revolutionary compared to our training methods back in the day. We didn’t focus on things like yoga and stretching—I really wish we had. I’m less worried about his future than I was for players like Greg Oden or Yao Ming. With access to better training and knowledge, he’s bound to do well.
**Interviewer:** If you had to highlight one thing you appreciate the most about being one of the world’s few seven-footers, what would it be?
**Mokeski:** Honestly? Right now, it’s sinking into a hot tub! My body feels pretty worn down after everything. But looking back, I loved the uniqueness of my height when I was younger. It allowed me to have a 12-year NBA career, coach at different levels, and travel to around 42 countries. While my skills and toughness were important, it was fundamentally my height that paved the way for this incredible life.