Olivier Rioux, the towering prospect for Florida men’s basketball, has once again made headlines by extending his Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest teenager. From his previous record of 7-foot-7 just two months ago, Rioux now stands at an astounding 7-foot-9, solidifying his stature as one of the tallest individuals on record for his age.
Rioux’s remarkable height, just three inches shy of eight feet, positions him not only as a standout in the world of Guinness World Records but also potentially as one of the tallest players ever to grace Division-I basketball. For comparison, last season’s tallest players in NCAA Division I were 7-foot-5, underscoring Rioux’s exceptional physical stature.
Notably, in NBA history, giants like Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol reached heights of 7-foot-7, a mark Rioux surpassed earlier this year at the age of 15. His towering presence naturally garnered significant attention from collegiate basketball programs, ultimately leading him to commit to the University of Florida last November.
During his recruitment process, Rioux’s visit to Florida in October solidified his decision to join the Gators, who offered him a scholarship almost immediately. Despite his extraordinary height, Rioux is rated as a three-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite, placing just outside the top 300 players nationally for the 2024 recruiting class.
Currently playing for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Rioux is recognized as the 53rd-best center in the country and the 27th-ranked player in Florida by the 247Sports Composite. His recruitment also attracted interest from other notable Division-I programs like Stetson, Florida Atlantic, and Nebraska, underscoring his potential impact in collegiate basketball.
Set to enroll at Gainesville this fall, Rioux joins a Gators team that recently reached the NCAA Tournament, poised to contribute his towering presence and athletic prowess to their lineup.
Olivier Rioux’s journey from Guinness World Record holder to NCAA prospect exemplifies not only his physical stature but also his potential to leave a lasting impact on the sport of basketball. As he prepares to embark on his collegiate career with the Florida Gators, Rioux’s towering height promises to bring a new dimension to the court and capture the imagination of basketball enthusiasts worldwide.
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