Gabriel Yates always loved being the tallest kid in school—until eighth grade, when he started ducking under doorways and standing out in ways that made him feel…different. People would stop him on the street, ask about sports, and when he said he acted instead, they’d launch into lists of every actor over 6’5”.
“It’s kind of annoying when they are like, ‘My uncle’s dog’s other friend is 6’5.’ They try to associate tall people with themselves for some reason,” Gabriel, 15, tells PEOPLE.
Fans would ask for photos and strangers would pry into his life, often pushing him toward basketball. Eventually, Gabriel began to wonder if his unusual height might be caused by more than just genetics.
After some online research, he suspected gigantism—a rare hormonal disorder—but doctors initially dismissed it. Then in April, the 7-foot-2 Naples, Florida, teen was officially diagnosed with gigantism, caused by excess growth hormone. His condition started in childhood but accelerated during puberty, leaving him over six feet tall by age 12 and growing two to three inches each year.
Doctors discovered Gabriel had three times the normal growth hormone level and a pituitary tumor pressing on his optic nerve, affecting his peripheral vision. He was also diagnosed with scoliosis. The tumor was successfully removed at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“I was kind of relieved because I thought I was just a very unathletic person without an excuse,” Gabriel says. “I could never keep up with the other kids. I ran out of breath so quickly—and now I know why.”
Pituitary gigantism is extremely rare, with only hundreds of cases reported worldwide. Dr. Vibha Singhal, an endocrinologist at UCLA, explains that it often goes undiagnosed for years because the first symptom is simply being very tall. The disorder can cause fractures, sleep apnea, and other complications from excessive growth, and treatment is typically lifelong.
For Gabriel, daily life comes with its own challenges. Finding clothes, shoes, and even standard-sized furniture can be difficult. The Orlando Magic recently donated specially sized shoes through a local charity, Laces of Love, which the family called a blessing.
Despite the medical hurdles, Gabriel has remained upbeat. He’s back at school, excelling in academics, acting, and his love for paleontology. He even dreams of working with animals and recently spent time at a petting zoo in Tennessee.
At home, life with his younger siblings keeps him busy. “They get on my nerves sometimes, but it’s still fun,” Gabriel says. “We play, and I taught my sister how to play video games. I chase them around the house for a bit of fun.”
Gabriel is also thinking about the near future: turning 16 and navigating the challenges of driving with his height. “Things aren’t made for people like me, so I’ve got to adapt,” he says.
To help with medical costs and raise awareness, Gabriel’s mom, Tara Sargent, started a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $5,000. She praises her son for his resilience.
“Throughout this whole process, he’s been amazing, a lot better than I have. He’s calm while I’ve cried hysterically,” Sargent says. “And he’s the best big brother in the world, because [his siblings] climb all over him like a tree.”
Hope the young man like pickup trucks, as there is about nothing else that will fit him comfortably.