The 7-foot-6 center from Canada, Olivier Rioux, gave five reasons on social media for his decision to leave the Florida Gators basketball team and revealed that he has committed to Duke for the upcoming season.

Olivier Rioux’s Background
Born on February 2, 2006, in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, Rioux has been making waves in the basketball world with his exceptional height and skills. He holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest teenager in the world, standing at 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m).²

College Career
Rioux committed to play college basketball at the University of Florida and was expected to be a key player for the Gators. However, he was redshirted for the 2024-25 season, meaning he won’t participate in any games this year. This decision was reportedly made to preserve his eligibility and allow him to develop his skills further.

International Experience
Rioux has represented Canada in various international basketball competitions, including:
– *2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship*: Helped Canada win a bronze medal, averaging 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
– *2022 FIBA U17 World Cup*: Averaged 2.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
– *2023 FIBA U19 World Cup*: Averaged 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
– *2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup*: Won another bronze medal, averaging 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

What’s Next for Olivier Rioux?
As a redshirt freshman, Rioux will have four years of eligibility remaining. He may choose to stay with the Florida Gators or explore other options, including transferring to a different school. However, there’s no indication that he’s committed to Duke or leaving the Gators.

Olivier Rioux is a 19-year-old Canadian college basketball player for the Florida Gators, standing at an incredible 7 feet 9 inches tall. Born on February 2, 2006, in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, he’s already made a name for himself in the basketball world.

Early Life and High School Career
Rioux comes from a family of tall individuals, with his father, Jean-François, standing at 6 feet 8 inches, his mother, Anne Gariépy, at 6 feet 1 inch, and his older brother, Émile, at 6 feet 9 inches. He began playing basketball at age five and quickly gained attention for his exceptional height, even being questioned about his age due to his towering presence on the court.¹ ²

College and International Experience
Rioux committed to the University of Florida and is currently a redshirt freshman, meaning he won’t participate in games this season to preserve his eligibility. Internationally, he’s represented Canada in several FIBA events, including the U16, U17, U18, and U19 tournaments, helping his team secure bronze medals in some competitions.

Skills and Interests
As a center, Rioux brings a unique set of skills to the court, including:
– *Height and Reach*: His exceptional height allows him to dominate the paint and protect the rim.
– *Rebounding*: He’s a serviceable rebounder, able to shield opponents from the rim.
– *Offensive Touch*: Rioux has shown promise with his hands and touch on the offensive side, but needs to develop his coordination.

Off the court, Rioux enjoys³:
– *Drawing*: He’s an abstract drawing enthusiast.
– *Space Exploration*: Rioux is fascinated by scientific achievements in space and the environment.
– *Favorite Heroes*: Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy and influencers inspire him.

Future Plans
With his sights set on a professional basketball career, Rioux aims to work hard and make a positive impact on his community, particularly in environmental initiatives.