Jorge González, widely known by his ring name Giant González, stood as one of the most visually striking and physically imposing figures in sports history. Standing at a towering height of 7 feet 7 inches (and frequently billed by promoters at an exaggerated 8 feet tall) with a playing and wrestling weight fluctuating between 400 and 460 pounds, he captured global attention across both professional basketball and sports entertainment. His life story moves from a humble upbringing in Argentina to the high-pressure hardwood of the NBA and the iconic neon arenas of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
Behind the oversized airbrushed bodysuit and the larger-than-life carnival atmosphere of 1990s wrestling lay a complex physical reality. González suffered from severe medical challenges brought on by gigantism, which ultimately shaped both his athletic trajectory and his tragic post-retirement years. Examining his actual measurements, athletic timeline, and physical condition reveals the true story behind a legendary sports anomaly.
The True Height and Weight of Giant González
Promotional hyperbole always ran rampant in professional wrestling, and no performer saw their dimensions stretched quite like Jorge González. While the WWF billed him at an impossible 8 feet 0 inches tall and 460 pounds, independent athletic records and his basketball documentation placed his true standing height at 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 meters). His peak athletic weight hovered around 400 to 403 pounds during his basketball days, though it swelled later in his wrestling career due to the progression of his medical conditions.
To put his proportions into perspective, his hands and feet were exceptionally massive, requiring custom-crafted footwear and apparel. His sheer scale made him the tallest competitor to ever step inside a WWF or WWE ring, a record he holds to this day. Yet, this extreme height was the result of pathological gigantism—an endocrine disorder caused by excess growth hormone production during childhood—which laid the groundwork for severe health complications later in life.
From Argentine Basketball Courts to the NBA Draft
Before he ever put on a wrestling boot, González carved out a notable path in competitive basketball. Born in El Colorado, Formosa, Argentina, in 1966, his rapid adolescent growth spurt caught the attention of local sports coaches. By age 16, he stood over 7 feet tall and joined the youth squads of the Hindú Club de Resistencia.
His career accelerated when legendary Argentine national coach León Najnudel helped secure his transfer to Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata. González played a pivotal role in helping the club achieve promotion to the Argentine first division in 1986. He also represented the senior Argentina national basketball team at international competitions, including the South American Basketball Championship.
Entering the NBA
His towering stature drew international scouts, leading to a historic moment at the 1988 NBA Draft. The Atlanta Hawks selected González in the third round as the 54th overall pick, making him and compatriot Hernán Montenegro the first Argentine players ever drafted into the NBA.
However, translating raw height into effective professional basketball proved difficult. González struggled to adapt to the fast-paced, high-impact nature of the NBA, and a severe knee injury sidelined him for months, preventing him from playing a single regular-season game. Despite his time in competitive sports being cut short on the court, his raw physical profile caught the eye of talent scouts from Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling.
Transition to Professional Wrestling: WCW and the WWF
Ted Turner’s promotion signed González in 1988, seeing him as a major box-office attraction. After spending time training at the WCW Power Plant, he debuted under the ring name El Gigante. Sporting face paint, trunks, and boots, he worked feuds with established veterans like Ric Flair and Sid Vicious. While his matches relied heavily on smoke, mirrors, and protection from experienced opponents who could carry the action, his physical presence drew immediate reactions from live crowds.
The Iconic WWF Run and WrestleMania IX
In 1993, González jumped to the World Wrestling Federation, where management rebranded him as Giant González, paired with slippery manager Harvey Wippleman. Dressed in a notorious flesh-colored full-body suit featuring airbrushed muscles and patches of dark hair, his visual presentation remains one of the most polarizing choices in wrestling history.
His most high-profile program came against The Undertaker. At WrestleMania IX in Las Vegas, González faced The Undertaker in a heavily anticipated special attraction match. The bout ended in a disqualification when González used a cloth soaked in chloroform to knock out The Undertaker—marking the only non-decisive victory in The Undertaker's legendary undefeated WrestleMania streak.
Following brief stints in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WAR, González retired from active competition in 1995 due to accumulating injuries and worsening health issues.
Health Struggles and Tragic Final Years
The same medical condition that fueled his athletic career ultimately caused its decline. Gigantism and its untreated progression into acromegaly placed immense strain on his cardiovascular system and joints. By the mid-1990s, González developed severe type 1 diabetes, which severely restricted his mobility.
He returned to Argentina to live out his post-retirements years, spending the final decade of his life primarily confined to a wheelchair as diabetes and heart complications eroded his physical independence. On September 22, 2010, Jorge González passed away in his hometown of San Martín, Chaco, Argentina, at the age of 44. Though his career in rings and on courts was brief, his status as a legendary human landmark remains cemented in sports lore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Giant González's actual height?
While promotional materials in wrestling frequently billed him at 8 feet tall, reliable athletic and medical measurements placed his true height at 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 meters).
Did Giant González play in an official NBA game?
No. Although the Atlanta Hawks drafted him in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft, a serious knee injury and difficulties adjusting to the pace of the league kept him from appearing in a regular-season NBA game.
Why did Giant González wear a muscle bodysuit in the WWF?
When he joined the WWF in 1993, management wanted to accentuate his bizarre proportions and create a mythic, monster-like aesthetic. The airbrushed bodysuit was designed to give him a comic-book villain appearance, though it remains a frequent point of discussion among fans.
What caused the death of Jorge González?
He passed away due to complications from type 1 diabetes and severe heart issues on September 22, 2010, at the age of 44.
