At 2.30 meters tall, Olivier Rioux is the tallest teenager in the world and an intriguing basketball project

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Walking from his apartment to classes and then to the University of Florida basketball facility, Olivier Rioux poses for dozens – sometimes hundreds – of photos a day.

Vertical shots of course. Rioux doesn’t fit into the frame in any other way.

At 2 meters 9 inches long, Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. He’s basically the biggest guy on campus – any campus.

The freshman from Florida, a fun-loving Canadian who has a place in the Guinness record book as the world’s tallest teenager, will also make basketball history when he plays for the 21st Gators this season. The cheerful man known as “Oli” will become the tallest to play college hoops, replacing the 6-foot-4 Kenny George of UNC Asheville (2006-2008).

He is two inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and two inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.

“You get questions every day,” says Rioux, who likes to draw in his spare time. “You don’t have a single three seconds to yourself when you’re outside, which was fine with me because my brother and my dad are tall. And as a family we often went out. That’s just how it was, and you can’t change that because people are curious.”

His college teammates are used to it by now.

“It’s really weird to look up to someone,” said Micah Handlogten, a 7-foot-10 center. “But when you’re with him almost every day, it’s just different when you’re in public with him. People normally ask me, ‘You’re so tall. Do you play basketball?’ No one says a word to me (now). Everyone just looks at him. It’s a bit crazy. He doesn’t shy away from it.”

Rioux actually embraces it. He welcomes the looks, the questions and all requests.

“It helps to be Canadian,” he joked. “You just get used to it. Talking to people is fun because they are curious, and you can’t change that.”

Rioux has worked hard to prepare for Division I basketball, but no one expects him to become a star at this level, especially not right away. The Gators expect Rioux to be a fan favorite starting with their season opener against USF on Monday night. Coach Todd Golden predicts it will be something he’s never experienced, with chants for Rioux late in games.

“We can see that coming from a mile away,” Golden said. “About 95% of my conversations with random people about our team are about him. It’s the first time we’ve been ranked since 2019 and it’s like, ‘Hey, coach, we’re really excited to have Oli this year to see.’ ‘ And I understand, man. He’s a very unique individual.

Rioux grew up in Terrebonne, Quebec, and realized at an early age that he was different. He was taller than most of his elementary school teachers, surpassing the 6-foot mark at age 8 and reaching the 7-foot mark the summer before seventh grade.

His mother is 6-2, father is 6-8 and his older brother is 6-9.

“At my meemaw’s house we had the wall (where) me and my brother measured ourselves. And then one day, poof, my brother was gone,” Rioux said, recalling the day he “officially” outgrew his entire family.

Back home in Canada, Rioux has a number of custom-made items to make life more comfortable, most notably his bed. On campus, however, it can barely fit diagonally across a queen-sized mattress.

He has to duck to get through every doorway and often bumps his head. He wears a size 20 shoe, gets most of his wardrobe from team gear and is afraid to ride a scooter because “I don’t trust myself.” And squeezing a desk in a classroom is more comical than a point guard trying to shut him out.

He started playing basketball at age 5 and ended up attending IMG Academy in Sarasota, about three hours south of Gainesville, for high school. He received offers from UC Irvine and Morehead State, but ended up in Florida as the preferred walk-on.

He is one of six international players on Golden’s roster and a clear project despite having played in several FIBA ​​events with the Canadian national team, including the 2024 U18 FIBA ​​AmeriCup and the 2023 U19 World Cup.

“The good thing in our minds is we think he has the potential to play someday,” Golden said. “He’s more than just a 7-9 guy. He’s had some really good moments in training, is super coachable and I’m happy he can get to this point next year and see where we are.”

Rioux has made strides in just a few months. His mobility and coordination have improved – he can wrap his leg around his head – along with his fitness. Golden still wants him to use his 305-pound frame to become “more of a butt-kicker” in the low post.

“He has flashes in practice where he makes some plays and you think, ‘Wow,’” Golden said. “It’s clear we can’t do that with anyone else.”

Rioux can dunk without leaving his feet and has a virtually unstoppable hookshot. He wears No. 32 because of his affection for Pro Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal, a fellow 7-footer.

He would like to align his play with former Purdue center Zach Edey (7-4) and French superstar Victor Wembanyama (7-3), who is currently considered the gold standard for 7-footers.

“Oh my God,” Rioux gushed.

Most people react the same when they see Rioux for the first time. He towers over teammates and classmates, and virtually every photo taken of him goes viral.

“He doesn’t seek attention, but he also doesn’t get annoyed by the people who ask for it,” says Handlogten. “He embraces it because it’s a part of him, and he loves that. When someone comes up and asks for pictures, he says, “Yes, of course.” And he always has that bright smile on his face. It’s great.”