Florida is about to welcome a new basketball player who is set to make history in college basketball. Olivier Rioux, a freshman from Canada, is making waves with his impressive height of 7 feet 9 inches. This makes him potentially the tallest college basketball player of all time, surpassing the previous record held by Paul Sturgess at 7 feet 8 inches.
Interestingly, Rioux’s official height listing of 7 feet 9 inches came as a surprise, as he was previously unofficially listed at 7 feet 6 inches by recruiting services. On his own Instagram account, he even lists himself at 7 feet 7 inches with a pair of question marks, indicating some uncertainty about his exact height. Additionally, Rioux wears a size 20 shoe, further highlighting his extraordinary stature.
Rioux’s height has been a point of fascination since he was named the world’s tallest teenager in 2020, standing just over 7 feet 5 inches at the time. His rapid growth spurt saw him reach 6 feet 11 inches by the sixth grade and surpass the 7-foot mark before entering seventh grade. A highlight package of Rioux at 12 years old went viral in 2018, showcasing his dominance on the court due to his towering height.
Despite his towering presence, Rioux remains humble about his achievements and aspirations. He hails from Quebec and comes from a family where his father stands at 6 feet 8 inches and his mother at 6 feet 2 inches. Rioux has expressed his desire to play basketball professionally, a dream he has pursued since he was just 5 years old.
Before joining the Florida Gators for the upcoming season, Rioux honed his skills at IMG Academy, a renowned basketball prep school that has produced numerous NBA players. While his high school statistics are not widely available, he was rated as a three-star recruit by 247 sports. Rioux has also represented Canada in international tournaments at the youth level, most recently competing in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup where he averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
As Rioux prepares to embark on his college basketball career, he is poised to make a significant impact on the sport with his exceptional height and skills on the court. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this towering talent will leave his mark on the game and potentially fulfill his dream of playing basketball at the professional level.