Olivier was born on February 2, 2006, in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, into a family with deep roots in sports. His father, Jean-François Rioux, was a volleyball player and photographer, while his mother, Anne Gariepy, works at the Royal Bank of Canada.
CAPTION: Standing tall, both on and off the court. SOURCE: Instagram Growing up in an athletic household, Olivier and his brother were encouraged to pursue sports from an early age. Their family's love for competition and teamwork shaped Olivier's character and fueled his passion for basketball.
Olivier's journey into basketball began at the tender age of five. It wasn't long before he caught the eye of coaches and scouts alike with his impressive skills and towering height. At 12, he was making waves internationally with the French Phenoms, showcasing not just his size but also his talent on the court.
The period spent in Florida at IMG Academy was pivotal because it gave him quality training and exposure to the highest levels of competition to further sharpen his skills.
In 2024, Olivier committed to playing in the Southeastern Conference with the Florida Gators, a move that catapulted him into the news. It will be a new beginning in his basketball journey.
Being a redshirt for the 2024–25 season, he has ample opportunities to develop his game without immediate pressure. He's a widely anticipated freshman who is supposed to bring a unique combination of size and skill that will change how the game is played in college.
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Olivier has proudly represented Canada on various international courts, contributing to the national team's success in FIBA competitions. His first taste was during the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship, where he won a bronze medal with some eye-catching averages of 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
CAPTION: Bringing home medals and pride, Olivier Rioux’s international journey is one to remember. SOURCE: Instagram He continued to shine at subsequent tournaments, including the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup, where he again played a crucial role in securing another bronze medal. Each tournament has been an opportunity for Olivier to show his talent on a global scale and inspire young athletes back home.
Olivier Rioux is an astonishing 7 feet 9 inches (2.36 m) tall, a height that makes him not only the tallest college basketball player in history but also the tallest living male teenager according to Guinness World Records. Imagine being among your peers, towering above them, and commanding attention everywhere! Olivier's exceptional height is a result of his family genes: his father is 6 feet 8 inches, his mother 6 feet 2 inches, and his older brother Émile measures 6 feet 9 inches.
That incredible height has given him a different perspective on life—literally and figuratively—thus far, enabling him to see the world from another angle while also facing up to the more mundane task of negotiating spaces designed for shorter people.
Olivier Rioux is not only tall but also an intimidating force on the basketball court, with a wingspan of 93 inches. He's a nightmare to match up against given his shot-blocking and rebounding capabilities.
CAPTION: With a mix of power and finesse, Olivier Rioux is making his presence known. SOURCE: Instagram What separates him, though, is the finesse with which he combines size with agility, making him adept at finishing plays around the rim even when facing up against formidable defenders. His game is not all about the height; it is about skillful play and thinking strategically.
Away from basketball, Olivier is a creative person with a great love for abstract drawing. Olivier also has an interest in new scientific discoveries about space exploration and the environment, too—again, interests reflective of a thoughtful and questioning mind beyond athletics.
Regarding food, he has a weakness for poutine, typical of Canadian cuisine, to complement his active lifestyle. He also looks up to the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have been through so much in their basketball journey.
As Olivier Rioux is looking toward the future, he wants to pursue professional basketball and contribute to environmental matters in his community. As such, with his cocktail of talent, determination, and social consciousness, the aim is not just an athlete but a role model who will inspire others in and out of the game.
The world is watching as this towering talent continues to grow, both literally and figuratively, and it's clear that Olivier Rioux is just getting started on an exciting journey full of potential and promise.
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