Recognized as the tallest male teenager by the Guinness Book of World Records, Olivier Rioux made headlines well before stepping onto a college basketball court. The freshman joined the Florida Gators the 2024-25 season but missed the first four games of the campaign. After the fourth game, head coach Todd Golden announced that Rioux would be redshirted, explaining that the decision came after careful discussions with Rioux, his family, and his AAU coach to prioritize his long-term development.

Despite being sidelined, Rioux knows how to stay in the spotlight. He recently made waves on social media in a video alongside Shaquille O’Neal, where even the towering Shaq appeared smaller next to him. Here’s everything you need to know about Olivier Rioux.

A new era of Basketball begins with the tallest freshman

Born on February 2, 2006, Olivier Rioux is a Canadian college basketball player who has captured global attention for his remarkable height. At just 15 years old, he stood an astonishing 7 feet 5 inches tall. Since then, he has grown even taller, now measuring an incredible 7 feet 9 inches, making him a standout presence in basketball. His incredible height even dwarfed someone like Shaquille O’Neal, standing over 7 feet tall himself.

Olivier comes from a family with a rich athletic background. Born to Anne Gariepy and Jean-François Rioux, he has a brother, Émile, who has played basketball himself. Many of his relatives have excelled in sports like volleyball and swimming, inspiring Olivier to pursue various athletic endeavors. As a child, he showcased his versatility by competing in soccer and swimming before ultimately dedicating himself to basketball.

As Olivier continues to make waves in the basketball world, he made a significant decision about his future. “I am proud to announce that I have committed to the Florida Gators for the 2024 season,” Rioux wrote on his official Instagram account. After choosing to join the Florida Gators as a “walk-on of choice,” the Quebecois teenager was ready to make his mark in college basketball when he stepped onto the court. It would have been more than just “the tallest player in college basketball,” as his coach noted.

“He’s more than just a 7-9 guy,” head coach Todd Golden said. “He’s had some really good moments in practice, super coachable and I’m excited for him to get to this point next year and kind of see where we’re at.”

Although the Gators’ coach suggested back at that time that Rioux might not see much playing time during his freshman season, the AP highlighted that whenever he does step onto the court, he’ll officially surpass former UNC Asheville player Kenny George in height by two inches. However, his influence extends beyond the college game, as he has already made a significant impact on the international stage with Team Canada.

Olivier Rioux’s international impact with Team Canada

Olivier Rioux’s journey on the international basketball scene has been one of steady growth, contributing to Team Canada during various tournaments.

In 2023, the U18 FIBA AmeriCup became a stage where Olivier’s talent truly shone. In helping bring the team a Bronze medal, Rioux averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. His 10-point showing against Venezuela and a key nine-rebound effort in a battle with Puerto Rico, would prove his presence crucial.

The year before, during the 2021 FIBA U16 Americas Championship, Olivier’s dominance on the boards was undeniable. His 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game over six games helped cement his reputation as a force in the paint. He would then take the challenge at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 2.7 points and 4.7 rebounds across seven appearances as well as the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup. His scoring average slightly improved with 3.2 points.

Olivier Rioux’s encounter with Shaquille O’Neal perfectly highlights the extraordinary stature that has set him apart in the basketball community. As he continues to develop, both in college basketball and internationally, his journey is sure to keep fans and players alike watching in awe. “About 95% of my conversations with random people about our team are about him,” the coach  admits. “He’s a very unique individual.”