Before Tommy Burleson came along in 1972, Mel Counts was the tallest U.S. Olympian ever The 7-0 (2.13), 230 lb. (105 kg.) hoopster from Oregon State played center for the 1964 U.S. Olympic team and helped lead the team to victory Counts then began a 12-year professional career, starting out as a back-up center to Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. Counts played little in those years, as Russell was the dominant force in the league, but his association with the Celtics provided him with the rare double of an Olympic gold medal and an NBA championship. Counts later played for the Los Angeles Lakers (backing up Wilt Chamberlain), the Phoenix Suns, and the New Orleans Jazz. He was never a great center, and, in fact, rarely started, but his height and size made him a player to be reckoned with.
United States