Jorge González — Argentine basketball player and professional wrestler

Early life and basketball career

Born and raised in Argentina, González reached a reported height of 2.29 m (about 7 ft 6 in), which made him one of the tallest athletes from his country. He played as a center in domestic and regional leagues and attracted international attention because of his stature and potential. In the 1988 National Basketball Association draft he was selected in the third round by the Atlanta Hawks, becoming one of the first Argentine players ever selected in the NBA draft alongside compatriot Hernán Montenegro. Persistent knee problems and the physical demands of elite professional basketball limited his prospects in the NBA and in other top-level leagues.

Transition to professional wrestling and persona

After his basketball career stalled, González moved into professional wrestling, where his extraordinary height could be presented as a central attraction. He performed under several ring names in different promotions, including appearances in WCW and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), before signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the early 1990s. In the WWF he was widely billed as Giant González and sometimes simply El Gigante.

González’s ring character emphasized physical intimidation. He frequently appeared in an elaborate full-body suit painted with exaggerated muscles and patches of artificial hair attached to the costume. In the WWF he was usually accompanied and managed by on-screen handlers who helped explain his presence and sell his size to audiences.

Notable matches and public reception

González’s most prominent WWF moments occurred in 1993. He made a dramatic entrance at the Royal Rumble event that January, an appearance that included an angle in which he eliminated The Undertaker from the match even though he was not an official participant. That feud culminated at WrestleMania IX, where González faced The Undertaker. The match ended in a disqualification when González used chloroform during the bout, a controversial finish that remains an unusual non-pinfall resolution among The Undertaker’s early WrestleMania contests. Critics and fans often noted that while González’s size was imposing, limited mobility and ring conditioning constrained his in-ring career.

Legacy and later life

González is remembered as one of the most visibly towering figures in both Argentine sport and international professional wrestling. His cross-sport career path—from being one of the first Argentine names linked to the NBA draft to becoming a televised wrestling attraction—made him a subject of lasting curiosity. He retired from mainstream wrestling after short runs in several promotions and returned to Argentina. Jorge González died in Buenos Aires on September 22, 2010, at the age of 44.

Quick facts

• Nationality: Argentine (Argentina)
• Sports: Basketball and professional wrestling
• Major promotions: WCW, WWF, NJPW
• NBA draft: 1988, drafted by the Atlanta Hawks
• Memorable opponents: The Undertaker (WWF feud)
• Controversial match detail: WrestleMania IX disqualification involving chloroform

For more context on professional wrestling promotions and international basketball drafts, consult general reference material on sports history and the business of sports entertainment. Additional archival footage and interviews from the period provide further perspective on how González was booked and portrayed in televised wrestling programs.