Alexander Alekseyevich Sizonenko (; ; 20 July 1959 – 5 January 2012) was a Soviet professional basketball player. Possibly the tallest person to have ever played professional basketball, he was measured by Guinness World Records at and named the world's tallest man in 1991. Sizonenko was said to have grown since this measurement was taken, although age reduced his standing height considerably. Because of his enormous growth, his mobility was increasingly impaired. Basketball career Sizonenko played professionally for Spartak Leningrad (1976–1978) and for Stroitel Kuybyshev (1979–1986). Sizonenko was also a member of the Soviet national team and appeared on its behalf for 12 games. While playing, Sizonenko was listed as standing at . Personal life Sizonenko was born in the city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian SSR. He lived in Saint Petersburg, was divorced and had a son Alexander born in 1994. In 2011 he was moved to a hospital in St. Petersburg, where he died on 5 January 2012. He was 52. References External links - The Tallest Man: Alexander Sizonenko So lebt der längste Mensch der Welt, Jens Hartmann ? 1959 births 2012 deaths Sportspeople from Zaporizhzhia People with gigantism Soviet men's basketball players Centers (basketball) Ukrainian men's basketball players Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic people