The Tallest of Them All: Meet Olivier Rioux, the Florida Gators’ Record-Breaking Recruit

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team is about to get a whole lot taller. Literally. Canadian center Olivier Rioux, a preferred walk-on for the 2024-25 season, stands at an astonishing 7-foot-9, making him the tallest college basketball player in history.

The Gators are getting a massive addition to their roster.

Rioux’s incredible height didn’t come out of nowhere. His father stands at 6-foot-8, and his mother at 6-foot-2. It’s no wonder he was able to reach such dizzying heights. In fact, he was confirmed as the world’s tallest teenager at age 15, when he stood at an impressive 7-foot-5-plus.

Rioux in action on the court.

As a native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Rioux attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and has made several appearances with Canada’s national team. Despite being a three-star prospect ranked as the No. 305 overall recruit and the No. 53 center in the 2024 class, Rioux is determined to make a name for himself in the college basketball world.

The stage is set for Rioux to make history.

With his record-breaking height, Rioux is set to make college basketball history this upcoming season. The current record for the tallest Division I basketball player is shared by Kenny George and Mike Lanier, both of whom stood at 7-foot-7. Rioux’s incredible stature is sure to give the Gators a significant advantage on the court.

Rioux with his parents, who clearly passed on their tall genes.

As I watched Rioux’s highlight reel, I couldn’t help but think of the endless possibilities for the Gators this season. With Rioux on their side, they’re sure to be a force to be reckoned with. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see him dunking on SportsCenter soon enough.

The highlight reel is calling Rioux’s name.

In a world where height is often seen as an advantage in basketball, Rioux is the ultimate game-changer. And I, for one, can’t wait to see what he does with it.