Olivier Rioux: The Record-Breaking Rise of College Basketball's Tallest Player
Olivier Rioux, a Canadian basketball phenomenon, has captured the attention of the sports world with his extraordinary height and promising potential. Standing tall as the tallest teenager in the world, Rioux is more than just a basketball player. His journey from Terrebonne, Quebec, to the University of Florida is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and the unwavering support of his family. Making history, Rioux has become the tallest player ever to grace the court in college basketball.
Early Life and Growth Spurt
Born on February 2, 2006, Olivier Rioux's exceptional height became apparent at a young age. His parents, Jean-François, a 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) photographer and former volleyball player, and Anne Gariépy, who is 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), provided a supportive environment for their son's unique development. By the age of 8, Rioux had already reached 6-foot-1, surpassing many of his teachers in elementary school. His growth continued rapidly, crossing the 6-foot mark by age 8 and topping 7 feet the summer before seventh grade. Rioux recalled the day he "officially" outgrew his entire family.
International Play
Rioux's basketball journey has taken him across the globe, representing Canada on the international stage. He first represented Canada at the youth level during the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico. He helped Canada win bronze at the tournament, finishing with averages of 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. A year later, he played for Canada at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain. In June 2023, Rioux was selected to play for Canada at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary. He averaged 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game over the course of the tournament. The following year, at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Argentina, Rioux won his second bronze medal at the youth level.
Transition to College Basketball
Rioux's exceptional height and basketball skills attracted the attention of college scouts, leading him to the University of Florida. At 7 feet, 9 inches, Rioux is the ultimate BMOC, the Biggest Man On Campus. The Florida freshman also made basketball history when he played for the Gators.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite his physical gifts, Rioux faces unique challenges due to his height. He has to duck to get through near every doorway and often hits his head. He wears a size 20 shoe, gets most of his wardrobe from team gear and won't dare ride a scooter because "I don't trust myself." And squeezing into a classroom desk is more comical than a point guard trying to box him out.
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Back home in Canada, Rioux has a number of custom-made items to make life more comfortable, most notably his bed. On campus, though, he barely fits diagonally across a queen-sized mattress.
Impact on the Game
Rioux's presence on the court is a spectacle to behold. He can dunk without leaving his feet and has a nearly unstoppable hook shot. Rioux entered the contest to raucous cheers from the crowd. The gigantic freshman set has jaws agape among basketball fans on social media. Numerous videos of him barely jumping to dunk a basketball have gone viral across social media.
Future Aspirations
Rioux has made strides in just a few months. His mobility and coordination have improved - he can wrap his leg around his head - along with his conditioning. Golden still wants him to use his 305-pound frame to become "more of a butt-kicker" in the low post. Rioux wears No. 32 because of his affection for Pro Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Shaquille O'Neal, a fellow 7-footer. He'd like to pattern his game after former Purdue center Zach Edey (7-4) and French superstar Victor Wembanyama (7-3), who is currently considered the gold standard for 7-footers.
A Fan Favorite
Rioux's cheerful personality and willingness to engage with fans have made him a popular figure on campus. Walking from his apartment to classes and then to the University of Florida's basketball facility, Olivier Rioux poses for dozens - sometimes hundreds - of pictures a day. Vertical shots, of course. Rioux won't fit in the frame any other way.
"You get asked questions every day," said Rioux, who likes to draw in his spare time. "You don't have a single three seconds to yourself when you're outside, which I was fine with because my brother and my dad are tall. And, as a family, we used to go out. That's just how it was, and you can't change that because people are curious."
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Making History
Florida redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux made history by becoming the tallest player ever to take the court in a college basketball game. With just over two minutes remaining in Florida’s blowout victory over North Florida, Rioux entered the contest to raucous cheers from the crowd inside the Stephen O’Connell Center in Gainesville.
Rioux did not score during his cameo, but the visuals from his brief appearance were something to behold. A photo from the postgame news conference showed Rioux towering over a 7-foot-1 teammate.
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