Getty Image / Ethan Miller
Every couple of years, there is a giant basketball prospect that captures the imaginations of the sports world.
20 years ago, it was Yao Ming that took the world by storm as the 7’6″ prospect made his way from China to the NBA. His 8 All-Star game appearances and 5 nominations to All-Pro teams kept the fans’ fascination with unbelievably tall prospects going strong.
Over the years, we’ve seen a few more players over 7 feet tall really get attention in college and as they headed into the pros.
7″3″ Hasheem Thabeet helped lead UCONN to the Final Four and was drafted 2nd overall in 2009. Tacko Fall led UCF to the NCAA Tournament and then spent a few years with the Boston Celtics. During his time there, fans were constantly on the lookout for him to make appearances at the end of games.
Even Boban Marjanovic has gained a following in the NBA thanks to his 7’4″ stature and has even been featured in commercials for State Farm and Goldfish.
Now we may have been introduced to the college basketball world’s next tall sensation.
Chicago Bulls play-by-play announcer shares photo with Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest basketball prospect
Last night the Chicago Bulls’ radio play-by-play announcer posted a picture alongside Olivier Rioux. Rioux is the world’s tallest teenager at just 16 years old, standing 7’6″. He is currently playing high school basketball for the IMG Academy in Florida.
Rioux’s highlight reel shows just how much of a nightmare he is for opposing high schoolers.
Olivier Rioux is the world’s tallest teenager at 7-foot-6. He just started his sophomore season at IMG academy pic.twitter.com/5AoNy3Ra8M
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) October 24, 2022
Olivier Rioux is a member of the class of 2025, meaning there is plenty of time to see what schools end up chasing him in recruiting. For right now, he only has an offer from Stetson, but he is sure to generate plenty of interest as he gets closer to joining the college basketball ranks.