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The Florida Gators landed quite possibly the biggest commitment of the college basketball season… literally. Olivier Rioux made his pledge to the program on Wednesday, becoming the second member of the 2024 class.
The 7-foot-6 center from Quebec might be the tallest recruit in the cycle, soon to give the Gators a massive presence in the paint.
In fact, Rioux hold the Guinness World Record of being the tallest teenager on the globe. He landed the honor in 2021 at the age of 15 years old.
Standing 226.9 cm (7 ft and 5.33 in.) tall, 15-year-old Olivier has earned his place in the brand-new Guinness World Records 2022 book after being confirmed as the world’s tallest teenager living (male).
While he comes from a large family, and quickly grew to more than 5-feet-tall before middle school, not even doctors predicted that he’d tower over his competition to this extent.
Born weighing 7.5 pounds, Olivier grew to 16 pounds in his first month and did not stop there. His rapid growth led him to be 5 feet 2 inches tall in grade 5.
Taking this, as well as his parents’ height into consideration, doctors predicted he would be 6 feet 5 inches at his peak. Little did they know, he would exceed their expectations by an entire foot!
Rioux has used that size to his advantage on the hardwood, blossoming into one of the most interesting prospects on the high school circuit. Attending IMG Academy, his ultimate dream is to become a member of the NBA.
He took his first step in accomplishing that goal this week.
The center made his college commitment on Wednesday as he plans to test his luck in the SEC.
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On3 Recruiting lists Rioux as a three-star player, and the 22nd-best center in the nation. He chose UF over offers from Stetson and Florida Atlantic.
Standing more than a foot taller than the vast majority of his high school competition, he uses both his extraordinary height and some fancy footwork to get to the bucket. Throwing down dunk after dunk, he scores with ease.
And as expected on the defensive side of the ball, he’s a force to be reckoned with. A patented swat is the top move in his repertoire as he consistently sends opposing shots sailing into the stands.
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Sometimes, it’s just best to get out of the big man’s way.
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With the addition, the Gators’ 2024 class moves to No. 73 in the country. Olivier Rioux joins three-star guard Isaiah Brown, who’s already signed with the program.
Size is nothing new in Gainesville as Florida preps for life after center Collin Castleton. The current roster boasts four players standing 6-foot-10 or taller, but even that quartet won’t compare to their soon-to-be teammate.