### Nation’s Tallest Prospect Olivier Rioux Chooses Florida Basketball Over Speculated Powerhouses
**Gainesville, FL – January 3, 2026** – In a recruiting coup that sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, Olivier Rioux, the Guinness World Record holder for the tallest teenager and now standing at an astonishing 7-foot-9, has committed to the University of Florida Gators. The Canadian phenom, often dubbed the “Nation’s No. 2” in terms of sheer physical presence (behind only historical giants in lore), selected Florida over rumored interest from several blue-blood programs, including speculation around North Carolina, Kentucky, and Duke.
Rioux, a 19-year-old center from Terrebonne, Quebec, announced his decision back in November 2023 via Instagram, but the buzz has only intensified as he has grown even taller and begun making history on the court. Originally projected for the Class of 2025, Rioux reclassified to 2024 to join the Gators early, arriving as a preferred walk-on with unlimited potential – and unlimited height.
At 7-9 and 305 pounds, Rioux eclipses every active player in college basketball and even surpasses NBA legends like Yao Ming (7-6) and current stars like Victor Wembanyama (7-4). He officially became the tallest player ever to appear in an NCAA game when he debuted as a redshirt freshman on November 6, 2025, in a blowout win over North Florida. Fans chanted “We Want Ollie!” until coach Todd Golden relented, inserting him for the final minutes. Though he didn’t touch the ball in that cameo, the moment marked a historic milestone.
Just weeks later, on December 17, 2025, Rioux etched his name deeper into the record books by scoring his first collegiate points – an emphatic dunk that barely required him to leave the floor. In Florida’s 102-61 rout of Saint Francis, Rioux caught a bounce pass and slammed it home, sending the O’Connell Center crowd into a frenzy and making him the tallest player ever to score a field goal in college basketball history.
Rioux’s journey to Gainesville is as remarkable as his stature. Born to a tall family – father Jean-François at 6-8, mother Anne at 6-2, and brother Émile at 6-9 – Olivier was already 6-1 by age eight and crossed 7 feet before seventh grade. Doctors attribute his growth to natural genetics, with no underlying conditions. He began playing basketball at five, gaining international attention on AAU circuits and even suiting up briefly for Real Madrid’s youth program before transferring to powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
At IMG, Rioux honed his skills against top competition, developing into a rim-protecting force who clogs the paint, rebounds effectively, and alters shots without needing elite athleticism. Recruiting services like 247Sports rated him as a three-star prospect, No. 56 center nationally in the 2024 class, noting his ability to shield opponents and provide serviceable minutes despite limited mobility.
Florida coach Todd Golden, who led the Gators to a national championship in 2025, saw Rioux as a long-term project worth investing in. “High school recruiting can be something that you really can’t evaluate until two or three years after [prospects get to college],” Golden said at the time of the commitment. Rioux joined a loaded frontcourt featuring returnees like Micah Handlogten (7-1), Alex Condon (6-11), Rueben Chinyelu (6-10), and Thomas Haugh, opting to redshirt his true freshman year (2024-25) to preserve eligibility and focus on development.
The decision paid off. As a redshirt freshman in 2025-26, Rioux has appeared in garbage time of blowouts, averaging modest stats (around 0.8 points and 0.5 rebounds in limited minutes) but providing invaluable practice reps against one of the SEC’s deepest big-man rotations. Golden has praised Rioux’s attitude, noting he knew opportunities would be limited behind the championship core but embraced the challenge.
Why Florida over other suitors? Sources close to the recruitment indicate Rioux prioritized development in a winning program with strong big-man coaching. While programs like North Carolina (UNC) were mentioned in early speculation – perhaps due to their history of developing international talent and need for size – Rioux ultimately chose the Gators after an official visit in October 2023. The proximity to IMG Academy, warm weather, and Golden’s vision for his growth sealed the deal. Rioux turned down other Division I offers to bet on himself in the SEC.
Comparisons abound: to Purdue’s Zach Edey (national player of the year before going pro), Tacko Fall (another tall project who carved an NBA niche), or even Manute Bol and Gheorghe Mureșan (both shorter at 7-7). Rioux, however, moves better than most expect for his size, with coordinated proportions that avoid the injury pitfalls plaguing some extreme giants.
Off the court, Rioux is a fan favorite. Viral moments include towering over Shaquille O’Neal (7-1) in a photo-op and even trying football drills with the Gators’ gridiron team. He wears No. 32 in honor of Magic Johnson and Shaq, loves poutine, and represents Canada internationally, including at the FIBA U19 World Cup.
As the 2025-26 season progresses, Rioux’s role may expand in mop-up duty, but his impact is already felt. Florida, fresh off a title, boasts one of the most intriguing rosters in America, and Rioux adds literal and figurative height to their championship defense.
With three years of eligibility remaining, the basketball world watches eagerly: Could this gentle giant evolve into a dominant force? Or will he remain a beloved novelty who broke barriers just by stepping on the court?
One thing is certain – Olivier Rioux didn’t just choose Florida; he elevated the game.
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