In a remarkable turn of events, the Florida Gators are gearing up to welcome Olivier Rioux, a towering Canadian big man, to their basketball program. At a staggering height of 7 feet, 9 inches, Rioux is poised to make history as the tallest college basketball player of all time.
Although Rioux has yet to hit the court for college ball, his impressive stature has already captured the attention of basketball enthusiasts worldwide. Standing tall at 7 feet, 9 inches, he is set to surpass the previous record held by Paul Sturgess, a 7 feet, 8-inch former player for Florida Tech and Mountain State.
Rioux's journey to basketball stardom began at a young age, with his remarkable growth spurt documented over the years. From reaching 6 feet, 1 inch at age 8 to hitting 7 feet before entering seventh grade, Rioux's physical development has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Not only does Rioux boast an impressive height, but he also comes from a family of tall individuals. With his older brother standing at 6 feet, 9 inches, his father at 6 feet, 8 inches, and his mother at 6 feet, 1 inch, height seems to run in the family.
Having honed his skills at the IMG Academy, Rioux emerged as a three-star prospect and made significant contributions to Team Canada, clinching a bronze medal at the 2023 U18 FIBA AmeriCup.
As Rioux prepares to make his mark on the college basketball scene, the Florida Gators are eager to leverage his towering presence on the court. With their last NCAA Tournament appearance dating back to 2021, the Gators are hopeful that Rioux's arrival will bolster their chances of reclaiming past glory, having last secured the championship title in 2007.
