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Florida Gators Basketball Set to Make History with 7’9″ Recruit Olivier Rioux

The college basketball world is about to witness a literal giant step forward as the University of Florida welcomes incoming freshman Olivier Rioux to its roster. Standing at an unprecedented 7-foot-9, Rioux is poised to become the tallest player in college basketball history, surpassing the previous record held by Paul Sturgess, who stood at 7-foot-8.

Rioux, a native of Montreal, Canada, has already made headlines before setting foot on the court. In 2022, he entered the Guinness World Book of Records as the tallest living male teenager. Now, as he joins the Gators, he’s set to break another record and potentially revolutionize the game at the collegiate level.

The young center’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. According to the University of Florida’s athletic website, Rioux stood at an impressive 6-foot-1 at just 8 years old. By sixth grade, he had reached 6-foot-11, and before entering seventh grade, he had already joined the exclusive 7-foot club. This rapid growth continued, with reports suggesting he grew from 7-foot-5 two years ago to his current height of 7-foot-9 (with shoes on).

Rioux’s presence on the court is expected to be game-changing. To put his height into perspective, he makes Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4 two-time National Player of the Year from Purdue, look comparatively small. Edey, also a Canadian, has dominated college basketball in recent years, but Rioux stands a full five inches taller.

While height alone doesn’t guarantee success in basketball, it certainly provides a unique advantage. As the old adage goes, “You can’t teach height.” Rioux’s ability to impact the game defensively and as a rebounding presence could be unprecedented at the college level.

However, questions remain about how Rioux’s size will translate to the fast-paced, physical nature of college basketball. Listed at 290 pounds, he will need to prove he has the mobility and stamina to keep up with the demanding schedule of Division I basketball.

Rioux comes to Florida with some international experience under his belt. He has represented Team Canada in various FIBA tournaments, including the U18 AmeriCup, U19 World Cup, and U17 World Cup. In the 2023 U18 FIBA AmeriCup, he averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, showing promise but also room for growth.

The young giant’s journey to Florida included a stop at the prestigious IMG Academy, where he continued to develop his skills. Interestingly, this is the same path taken by Zach Edey, who was also considered a marginal prospect coming out of IMG before blossoming into a dominant force at Purdue.

Rioux’s arrival at Florida has already generated significant buzz on social media. A photo of him towering over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (listed at 6-foot-4) from 2018 recently went viral, showcasing the stark contrast in their heights and hinting at Rioux’s potential impact on the court.

As a three-star prospect ranked 305th nationally and 56th among centers by 247sports.com, Rioux isn’t entering college with the same hype as some top recruits. However, his unique physical attributes and the potential for rapid development make him one of the most intriguing freshmen to watch in the upcoming season.

The college basketball world will be watching closely as Rioux takes the court for the Florida Gators. While his unprecedented height guarantees attention, it will be his development as a player that determines whether he can leave a lasting mark on the sport. As the season approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this towering talent will measure up to the competition and potentially redefine the game of college basketball.