Olivier Rioux, an incoming freshman at the University of Florida, is set to make history as the tallest player in college basketball at an astonishing 7-foot-9. Having just graduated high school, Rioux’s height was previously listed at 7-foot-7, indicating he is still growing.
Rioux holds the title of the world’s tallest teenager and wears a size 20 shoe. Remarkably, he was over 6 feet tall by the age of eight and nearly 7 feet tall by the time he was in sixth grade.
Rioux hails from Quebec, Canada, where his extraordinary height has been a significant factor in his basketball journey. His father, standing at 6-8, and his mother, at 6-2, contributed to his impressive stature. Rioux’s height has always been a talking point, as he was already a towering figure in elementary school.
His basketball potential became evident early, and he quickly garnered attention for his skills and size.
Rioux is set to play for the Florida Gators, where he is listed as 7-9 and weighing 290 pounds on their official website. This makes him not only the tallest player currently in college basketball but also the tallest in the history of the sport at the collegiate level, surpassing former Florida Tech and Mountain State center Paul Sturgess, who stood at 7-8.
Throughout his youth, Rioux’s height has consistently drawn attention. In 2018, he became an internet sensation when a highlight reel of his middle school basketball exploits went viral. His dominance on the court, easily scoring over much shorter opponents, showcased his potential to the basketball world.
This early recognition led to him crossing paths with notable basketball figures, including NBA star Jamal Murray, who congratulated him on his achievements.
Rioux’s path to the Florida Gators included three seasons at IMG Academy, a renowned basketball prep school that has produced numerous NBA players. Although there are limited publicly available statistics from his high school career, he was rated as a three-star recruit by 247 Sports.
Additionally, Rioux has represented Canada in international tournaments, such as the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where he averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Oliver Rioux’s towering presence and basketball skills make him a unique and highly anticipated addition to college basketball. As he continues to grow and develop, both physically and as a player, Rioux aims to follow in the footsteps of great athletes and potentially reach the professional level.
His journey with the Florida Gators is eagerly awaited by basketball fans and scouts alike, as they watch to see how this extraordinary talent evolves.
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