At just 18 years old, Olivier Rioux, standing at an astonishing 7’9″, is set to make history as the tallest player in college basketball.
Olivier Rioux, a Canadian basketball prodigy, has joined the University of Florida’s men’s basketball team, where his remarkable height of 7’9″ is capturing national attention. Rioux, who previously held the title of the tallest teenager in the world, is now listed as the tallest player in college basketball history as he prepares for his freshman year with the Gators.
Rioux’s incredible growth trajectory saw him reaching 6’1″ by the age of eight and almost 7 feet by sixth grade. Despite his record-setting stature, Rioux embraces his height with a positive outlook. “I was always taller than the rest of my friends at school or teammates,” he told Guinness at 16. “This is what nature planned for me. I learned to be peaceful and happy about it.”
Standing a full inch taller than the previous record holder, Paul Sturgess, who played college basketball at 7’8″, Rioux’s height is largely attributed to his genetics. His father is 6’8″ and his mother is 6’2″, making his height slightly less surprising within his family context. “Doctors could only explain it with the genetics that my family has,” Rioux explained.
His towering presence, however, comes with some practical challenges, such as difficulty finding clothes and frequently hitting his head on door frames. Despite these inconveniences, Rioux enjoys the advantages his height provides on the basketball court. “I see everything from a higher angle,” he said, noting how it benefits his game play.
Rioux, who started playing basketball at age five, has always been taller than his peers, often leading to doubts about his age from opposing teams. His unique stature has drawn extra attention and challenges from competitors throughout his high school career.
As Rioux embarks on his college basketball journey, his potential entry into the NBA could see him becoming the tallest player in the league’s history. Currently, the tallest man in the world is Sultan Kösen, standing at nearly 8’3″.
Rioux’s journey with the University of Florida is keenly anticipated, not just for his extraordinary height, but for the impact he is expected to make on the court.
