College Basketball’s Towering Figure

Incoming Florida freshman Olivier Rioux is set to make a big impact in the college basketball scene, and it’s not just because of his impressive skills on the court. At 7-foot-9, Rioux is poised to become the tallest player in college basketball history, surpassing the previous record held by Paul Sturgess, who stood at 7-foot-8.

The tallest of them all

Rioux’s remarkable height has been well-documented, with the Canadian native being named the world’s tallest teenager in 2020. His growth spurt began at a young age, with Rioux reaching 6-foot-1 by the time he was 8 years old. By the sixth grade, he had already crossed the 7-foot mark.

A Viral Sensation

In 2018, a highlight package of Rioux went viral, showcasing his dominance on the court. The then 12-year-old towered over his teammates and opponents, making it look easy to score. It’s no wonder that Rioux caught the attention of the basketball world, including NBA star Jamal Murray, who congratulated him on his NBA championship win in 2023.

A towering figure in more ways than one

Rioux’s Journey to Florida

After spending three seasons at IMG Academy, one of the top basketball prep schools in the country, Rioux is set to begin his college career at Florida. Although his high school stats are not publicly available, Rioux was listed as a three-star recruit by 247 sports. He has also represented Canada in international tournaments at the youth level, including the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where he averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

The next chapter begins

As Rioux takes the court for the Florida Gators, all eyes will be on the towering freshman. With his impressive height and skills, Rioux is poised to make a big impact in college basketball.

“I aspire to play basketball at the professional level,” Rioux told Guinness World Records. It’s clear that the sky’s the limit for this talented young player.