Olivier Rioux has been a relatively unheralded basketball recruit, but that’s about to change in a big way.
Rioux signed with the Florida Gators Wednesday, and the prospect created a stir on social media because of his huge size.
The Canadian center stands 7-foot-7 and holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest teen.
Rioux, who is playing at basketball prep school IMG Academy in Florida, thanked the Gators in an Instagram post.
“I am proud to announce that I have committed to the Florida Gators for the 2024 season,” Rioux wrote. “I want to thank all my coaches from @imgabasketball and @brookwoodelite in helping me in this process. The adventure continue in Florida!”
On3 Sports rates Rioux as the No. 147 prospect in the class of 2024. He is currently unranked by 247Sports.
Rioux will immediately command attention when he arrives at Florida, no matter how much he plays, simply because of his huge size (he also weighs 300 pounds).
There’s already a debate on his actual size. Some sources, including Guinness, list him at 7-foot-6, others at 7-foot-7. On his official FIBA page, his height is listed at 231 centimeters, which rounds up to 7-foot-7.
Basketball fans reacted to the news by mostly pointing out the obvious — Rioux is really, really tall.
The Canadian center is taller than Shaq, Wemby, AND Yao Ming
@brhoops (via @courtsidefilms) pic.twitter.com/eJGTRj8fJC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 9, 2023
I saw some and surprisingly it’s not bad, he’s also not some skinny twig that a lot of the 7+ kids are so if he gets trained properly (and he’s knees don’t fail him) he might actually have a decent shot at the league and a career, but having some size on him will def help
— Buckets (@Buckets72042811) November 9, 2023
“The Canadian center” sounds like a building
— BrianSays
(@BrianSaysGrow) November 9, 2023
just another tacko fall
— Thieving Raccoon (@TheRealNCP) November 9, 2023
He owns Wemby!
— Alfred Matthews (@A_Matthews713) November 9, 2023
Would love to see him matchup against Zach Edey
— uaruby (@uaruby) November 9, 2023
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About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.