PEOPLE can't help but stare when Sam Harris walks into a room.
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The 17-year-old basketballer is probably the tallest person you are ever likely to meet.
Harris is playing in the National Schools Basketball Tournament in Ballarat this week, and is literally towering over the opposition.
He stands at a massive 219cm (7ft 2).
He is the tallest of the 1500 competitors in the tournament.
Harris stands head and shoulders above a crowd.
He was the tallest boy at school and is even the tallest basketballer studying at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
He is 4cm taller than a previous student who stood at an impressive 215cm.
"I think I've finished growing now," Harris said, as he stood blocking a doorway at the Ballarat Minerdome yesterday.
Harris is the (not so) secret weapon for his old team, Launceston College, Tasmania.
He now lives in Canberra, and says the AIS showed interest in him because of his height.
"I've only been playing for three years, and have more to learn yet, but I love basketball."
His father is 196cm and his mother stands at 177cm.
"I'm really the intimidation factor for the team, and do some shooting and defence," Harris said.
But being so tall does have its draw-backs, Harris reveals.
"You have to bend down to get through doorways, and I can't fit in some cars.
"Travelling generally is a problem, especially in planes.
"I can't go anywhere without people commenting on how tall I am, but I get over it."
Harris also has to specially order size 18 shoes from Melbourne.
"I can't walk into any shop and buy clothes I like, but it's not that bad, I just have to get used to it."
