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Olivier Rioux arrives to Florida Basketball even taller than advertised

The "World's Tallest Teenager" is now practicing with the Gators

By Benjamin Henderson

Olivier Rioux of IMG Academy looks for an open teammate in their game against Richmond Heights in the City of Palms Classic on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.
Olivier Rioux of IMG Academy looks for an open teammate in their game against Richmond Heights in the City of Palms Classic on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers. / Amanda Inscore/The News-Press USA Today
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One of the more intriguing players for Florida Basketball for the 2024/25 season is freshman center Olivier Rioux. Dubbed "The World's Tallest Teenager," Rioux committed to the Gators out of IMG by way of Montreal.

With summer practice underway for the Gators, Rioux has arrived in Gainesville and is somehow even taller than originally advertised.

Florida Basketball: Can't Teach Size

During his time with IMG, Rioux was listed at a staggering 7'7" and was seen as a bit of a project for the Gators. While he can dunk without leaving the ground, overall mobility will tell the tale of whether he can be a viable college basketball player.

With summer workouts starting, Florida has updated their roster for the 2024/25 season and Rioux is listed even taller than he was at IMG, now coming in at 7'9" and 290 pounds.

In a photo posted by Chris Harry of FloridaGators.Com, Rioux can be seen already dunking teammates who are still almost seven feet in their own right.

It is unlikely Rioux will spend much time on the court this season. He is a preferred walk on and the Gators do have a cache of big men of the roster, including Micah Handlogten, Rueben Chinyelu, and Alex Condon.

But if Todd Golden and his crew can unlock some additional mobility from Rioux, he could become a not so hidden weapon for the Gators down the road.

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