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NEWS > SPORTS > DWARF CLAIMS NBA HEIGHT RESTRICTION PREJUDICIAL

DWARF CLAIMS NBA HEIGHT RESTRICTION PREJUDICIAL

July 20 2008

New York, NY – Basketball has always been the sport of modern giants. Through the decades players have gotten bigger and taller,  It has always been accepted that height was right when it comes to success in this sport of sky. Some though, disagree.

Gerald Cibel is standing up against the NBA, claiming the league has acted prejudicially towards him and others in his situation by excluding him from playing in the league. He has filed a lawsuit claiming discrimination.

Gerald stands 3 feet, 9 inches tall but has never allowed that to stop him for achieving. “My parents always taught me to fight for what was important to me. They taught me that my physical limitations should never restrict what I can achieve in life,” said Cibel from his home. “I have always loved basketball and it has been my dream to play in the NBA someday, but because of the heightist atmosphere in the league, I am being excluded.”

Cibel asserts that the league engages a height restriction policy, enabling only the tall to be able to make it on to the court. The league asserts that it has no such policy and that any person is able to play in the league provided they have the skills and talent needed to perform. A spokesperson for the NBA cited other smaller stature players who have succeeded in the past including 5 foot 3 inch “Mugsy” Bogues, and former slam dunk champion 5 foot 7 inch “Spud” Webb. Both men would still tower over Cibel, and in a league where the average height is 6’7’, Cibel would be dwarfed in more ways than one.

“Anyone is able to play in the league,” said the spokesperson. “You would have to concern yourself with competiveness and of course safety. You would also have to factor in things such as running up and down the court. The reality is a person of smaller stature has shorter legs, making it more difficult to keep up with the rest of the players. We assure you though, that the NBA has no rules spoken or unspoken regarding the height of any players. We see this suit as totally without merit.”

Cibel though remains undaunted by the comments from the league. “It’s clear to me that they have a height restriction. It may not be in the rules but just look at the height of the basket. The average person is 5’10” and the rim is ten feet. It’s obvious they are excluding even average height people. What they are implying is that only elite people are able to play in their league. There is no other business in the world that could get away with restricting people’s employment based on their height. Could you imagine if that happened in an office job? That is why we are suing.”

As of yet, there is no date set for the hearing.

Alexi Orton, Sports Correspondent

NEWS > SPORTS > DWARF CLAIMS NBA HEIGHT RESTRICTION PREJUDICIAL

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