Dinner with Zaza Pachulia

Walking into a family friend’s house, I expected a normal party. What I did not expect was to meet Zaza Pachulia. The first thing that strikes you is obvious: he is huge. As a former NBA center and a real seven-footer, Zaza quite literally fills the room. Even knowing his height on paper does not prepare you for the reality. He has a presence that feels more like a mountain casually taking a seat at the dinner table.

What surprised me just as much was his family. His son Saba, who is my age and also in 10th grade, was equally impressive in height and character. Standing at 6’5”, he was kind, grounded, and focused. He trains with his dad and older brother, working toward the goal of playing in the NBA one day. Despite the brutality of that path, there was nothing flashy or ego-driven about him. The entire family carried themselves with modesty.

As the night went on, talking with Zaza made one thing very clear: people we see as famous are still just people at the end of the day. They have families, routines, and values, just like anyone else. The difference is that the world watches them more closely.

Zaza was a true gentle giant: calm and genuinely kind. There was no sense that he wanted to be treated like a celebrity, and that was the key lesson. It reminded me how important it is to approach everyone with respect, regardless of status. Being a fan is one thing, but treating someone like a human being always comes first.
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Sometimes the most meaningful lessons do not come from speeches or achievements, but from conversations at a dinner table with people who remind you that humility is the greatest measure of success.