GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Each day, Olivier Rioux takes a stroll from his apartment to his classes, then heads over to the University of Florida’s basketball facility, stopping to snap pictures with fans, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. With a towering height of 7 feet, 9 inches, he requires vertical shots to fit into frames, making him the biggest attraction on campus and quite possibly any campus.
This freshman from Florida, who hails from Canada, is not just a cheerful presence; he also holds a Guinness World Record for being the tallest teenager on the planet. When Rioux steps onto the court for the 21st-ranked Gators this season, he will make college basketball history by becoming the tallest player ever to compete, surpassing the 7-foot-7 Kenny George from UNC Asheville who played from 2006 to 2008.
Rioux eclipses former NBA giants like Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol by a couple of inches and stands three inches taller than other notable players like Yao Ming, Tacko Fall, and Shawn Bradley. “People are curious and ask questions every day,” Rioux shared, noting that he grew accustomed to the attention. “I had tall family members, so it was just a way of life for us.”
His teammates have become well acquainted with the daily spectacle of having Rioux around. “It’s strange to look up at someone,” said 7-foot-1 center Micah Handlogten. “When I’m with him in public, everyone’s attention shifts to him, and it’s just wild. I used to be the tall one; now, I’m just second to him.” Rioux embraces this newfound fame, welcoming stares and inquiries with open arms. “Being from Canada helps,” he joked. “You get used to it and interact with people who are interested.”
Though he is prepared for the challenges of Division I basketball, Rioux is not anticipated to be the star player right away. However, he’s expected to be a crowd favorite right from their season opener against USF. Coach Todd Golden foresees an electrifying atmosphere and expects fans to chant his name during games. “People are excited to see Oli play,” Golden remarked. “He’s a unique part of our team, and it’s something I haven’t seen before.”
Rioux grew up in Terrebonne, Quebec, realizing from a young age that he stood out. By the age of 8, he was already over 6 feet tall and reached the 7-foot mark before he transitioned into middle school. With family heights that include his mother at 6-2, his father at 6-8, and an older brother at 6-9, Rioux often reminisces about growing taller than his family members over time. “At my grandmother’s house, we had a height chart, and one day, I just overtook my brother,” he recalled.
In Canada, he has custom-made furniture to accommodate his size, particularly his bed, which he now finds barely adequate while on campus where he often has to fit lengthwise across a queen-sized mattress. Navigating through most doors requires him to duck, and a multitude of everyday activities poses challenges, including his size 20 shoes and squeezing into classroom desks.
Beginning his basketball journey at the young age of 5, Rioux later attended IMG Academy in Sarasota, just a few hours from Gainesville. His collegiate journey led him to Florida as a preferred walk-on after receiving offers from UC Irvine and Morehead State. He is part of a diverse roster that includes six international players, and while he’s considered a developmental prospect, he has displayed promise through participation in various FIBA events, including the 2024 U18 FIBA AmeriCup and the 2023 U19 World Cup.
Golden firmly believes in Rioux’s potential. “We’re excited about what he could bring to the future,” he explained. “He’s not just a towering figure; he has skills that we’re discovering.” In just a few months, Rioux has shown improvements in mobility, coordination, and conditioning. The coach is keen for him to become more assertive in the low post with his hefty 305-pound frame. “He has moments in practice that leave us all in awe,” Golden said. “Those plays are unlike what you’ll see from anyone else.”
Rioux can dunk without leaving the ground and possesses a remarkable hook shot. He wears No. 32 to honor his basketball heroes, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal. He aspires to model his game after other towering figures like Zach Edey and Victor Wembanyama, currently lauded as exemplary big men in the sport.
When fans see Rioux for the first time, their reactions often mirror awe. He towers over his teammates and classmates, and any photos featuring him tend to gain popularity quickly. Handlogten remarked, “He doesn’t seek out the attention but also doesn’t mind it when it comes. He embraces it, and he has this genuine smile that really connects him with others.” This acceptance of his stature adds to the excitement surrounding his journey in college basketball.
