oliver rioux

Olivier Rioux (often spelled Olivier rather than Oliver) is a Canadian college basketball center for the Florida Gators and is widely known as the tallest active player in U.S. college basketball.

Who Olivier Rioux Is

• Olivier Rioux was born on February 2, 2006, in Quebec, Canada, and plays for the University of Florida in the SEC.

• Guinness World Records recognized him as the world’s tallest teenager in 2021, and he is now listed at about 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m), making him the tallest player ever to appear in an NCAA game.

Early Life and Growth

• Rioux grew up in the Montreal area (including time in Anjou) and started playing basketball at around five years old.

• He was already 6 ft 1 in by age eight, passed 6 ft 11 in by sixth grade, and surpassed 7 ft before seventh grade, an unusually rapid growth that doctors mainly attribute to family genetics.

Basketball Journey Before Florida

• As a youth prospect, he gained attention playing internationally for the French club “French Phenoms,” standing about 6 ft 10 in at age 12.

• Rioux later joined Real Madrid’s youth setup and then moved to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, one of the top U.S. basketball prep programs.

Florida Gators and College Role

• Rioux committed to the Florida Gators in late 2023, reclassifying into the 2024 recruiting class and joining the program as a preferred walk‑on.

• He initially took a developmental redshirt season in 2024–25, then made his on‑court debut in the 2025–26 season, when he became the tallest player to appear in a college basketball game and was part of Florida’s 2025 national championship roster.

National Team and Playing Style

• Rioux has represented Canada at multiple youth levels, including the 2021 FIBA U16 Americas, the 2022 U17 World Cup, the 2023 U19 World Cup, and the 2024 U18 AmeriCup, earning at least two bronze medals.

• In these tournaments he has typically contributed as a rim protector and rebounder, averaging roughly mid‑single‑digit points and solid rebounding numbers while adjusting to higher levels of competition.

Current Buzz and Online Discussion

• Recent coverage highlights him as an NCAA record‑breaker for height and a long‑term developmental prospect, with media and fans curious whether his size can translate into a serious pro career.

• Forum and social discussions often debate whether he is mainly a “size outlier” or a developing modern big man, with many commenters noting his improved conditioning and fundamentals at Florida.

TL;DR: Olivier Rioux is a 7‑foot‑9 Canadian center for the Florida Gators, recognized as the former tallest teenager on record and now the tallest player in college basketball history, drawing significant attention as a unique long‑term prospect.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.