Olivier Rioux is the world’s tallest teenager, as made official by the Guinness Book of World Records. The 18-year-old is 7-foot-8 and committed to play college basketball at Florida.
Believe it or not, he did not even receive an offer from Purdue!
Rioux will join the Gators next season, which will make him the tallest player in D1 history. Former UNC Asheville center Kenny George currently holds that title at 7-foot-8. The tallest active player is Jamarion Sharp at 7-foot-5.
That’s how tall Rioux was two years ago…
He, much like Zach Edey, moved to the United States for high school and plays for the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The sports-focused prep school has helped him to develop into more than just a giant, but there is still plenty of room for growth. Rioux is considered a three-star recruit.
Although there are questions about his ability to take the next step, he is already dominating opponents. They simply do not have an answer for his size.
Not only does IMG play some of the top teams in the country, Rioux recently received the opportunity to play in the All Canadian Games. He was listed at 7-foot-8, 290 pounds with a 7-foot-10 wingspan, 10-foot reach, and a 10-inch hand length and width.
Other players in the game are committed to New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Vermont, Penn State, Wyoming, Buffalo, Fairleigh Dickinson and Colorado. The competition was pretty fierce.
Rioux took over on both ends of the floor!
Not a typo btw. This dude Olivier Rioux is huge https://t.co/IdW3HpT611 pic.twitter.com/wnlqT2fcK2
— tooforwon (@tooforwon241) March 31, 2024
There will be a learning curve on the collegiate level, just as there was with (most) 7-footers before him. Olivier Rioux is going to need to continue to grow into the game, as well as his body. He has an opportunity with time to be someone that Florida gives the ball on every possession, as Purdue does Edey and as the announcer said!