Florida basketball's Olivier Rioux is a towering presence on the court, standing at an incredible 7-foot-9 and weighing in at 305 pounds. This season, Rioux made history as the tallest basketball player to ever play at either the amateur or professional level.
Rioux's Historic Debut
In November, Rioux made his debut for the Gators, amid chants of 'We Want Ollie,' during a dominant 104-64 win against North Florida. Reflecting on the moment, Rioux shared, "It’s just another day.
It felt great. The support from everybody was amazing.
Even on the bench and even with the fans. Everybody supported me.
I’m very grateful.”
Since then, those chants have become a staple in Florida's blowout victories. Just a couple of weeks later, Rioux scored his first career point with a free throw in an 80-45 victory over Merrimack, where he also snagged his first rebound. Florida teammate Rueben Chinyelu praised Rioux's hard work and dedication, noting his impressive progress from the previous year.
Rioux's first field goal came against Alabama in a 100-73 win, marking a special milestone just before his 20th birthday. Over the season, Rioux has appeared in eight games, including four SEC matchups. Florida coach Todd Golden commended Rioux's work ethic and positive attitude, acknowledging the challenges of limited playing time due to a crowded frontcourt.
The Growth of a Giant
Rioux, originally from Canada, redshirted for UF in 2025 and previously set the Guinness World Record for tallest teenager. His growth journey is remarkable-standing 6-1 at age 8, he reached 6-11 by sixth grade, and surpassed 7 feet before seventh grade. Now, he dons a size 20 shoe and maintains a diet of 5,000 to 6,000 calories a day.
High School and International Impact
Rated a three-star prospect by major recruiting services, Rioux made his mark internationally as well. In 2023, he helped Canada secure a bronze medal at the U18 FIBA AmeriCup, averaging 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. At the 2021 FIBA U16 America Championship, he posted averages of 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds over six games.
Rioux's journey is a testament to his determination and unique talent, capturing the attention of basketball fans everywhere.