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Olivier Rioux had Florida Basketball in the national spotlight this week

Incoming University of Florida freshman Olivier Rioux is set to make college basketball history.

By Travis Robinson

IMG Blue's Olivier Rioux, tallest teenager and high school basketball player in the world, watches as his team warms up for their game against Keystone in the Governors Challenge at Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland. Bkh Img Academy Blue Keystone Athletic Academy Governors Challenge
IMG Blue's Olivier Rioux, tallest teenager and high school basketball player in the world, watches as his team warms up for their game against Keystone in the Governors Challenge at Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland. Bkh Img Academy Blue Keystone Athletic Academy Governors Challenge / Lauren Roberts/Salisbury Daily Times /
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The University of Florida's basketball program is about to reach new heights – quite literally. Incoming freshman Olivier Rioux, standing at an astounding 7-foot-9, is poised to become the tallest player in college basketball history when he steps onto the court for the Gators this upcoming season.

We here at Hail Florida Hail noted that Rioux is even taller than his advertised height coming out of high school. His arrival to the Gators this week drew plenty of attention from around the country, with Yahoo, Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, USA Today, and even AOL among the outlets who wrote about Rioux earlier this week.

Rioux, a native of Montreal, Canada, surpasses the previous record held by Paul Sturgess, who stood at 7-foot-8 while playing for Florida Tech and Mountain State. The young Canadian's remarkable stature has already earned him recognition, as he was entered into the Guinness World Book of Records in 2022 as the tallest living male teenager.

His journey to this towering height has been a steady climb. According to Florida's athletic website, Rioux measured 6-foot-1 at just 8 years old, reached 6-foot-11 in sixth grade, and crossed the 7-foot threshold before entering seventh grade. Recent reports suggest he's grown an additional two inches in the past two years alone.

While height is certainly an advantage in basketball, it doesn't guarantee success. Rioux comes to Florida as a three-star prospect, ranked 305th nationally and 56th among centers by 247Sports. His international experience includes representing Team Canada in various FIBA tournaments, where he averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game during the 2023 U18 FIBA AmeriCup.

Rioux's presence on the court is sure to draw attention, following in the footsteps of other notably tall players who have captivated college basketball fans. Names like Zach Edey (7-foot-4), Manute Bol (7-foot-6 or 7-foot-7), and Tacko Fall (7-foot-6) have all left their mark on the game, demonstrating that extreme height can be both a spectacle and a game-changing asset.

As Rioux prepares to join a Florida team looking to bounce back from a first-round exit in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, all eyes will be on how the coaching staff utilizes his unique physical attributes. While his ranking suggests he may be a project, history has shown that tall players can develop significantly during their college careers.

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