Olivier Rioux is not going to play a single game for the Florida Gators this college basketball season. However, the world’s tallest teenager continues to make his sport look hilariously easy during practice.
At 7-foot-9, he can grab the 10-foot rim without even leaving the ground.
Rioux is nine games into his freshman season of college basketball. The Quebec-native committed to Florida in the recruiting Class of 2024 as a three-star prospect. Head coach Todd Golden has a plan to develop the freakishly tall 18-year-old into a superstar center over the next four or five years, which allowed him the luxury of a redshirt season. The Gators will not put him on the floor this year.
Even though Rioux is relegated to the bench during games, he is allowed to practice with his team and go through warmups prior to tipoff. Watching him go to work will never not be a sight to see.
His pregame workout is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, the simplicity is what makes it so special. Rioux uses the backboard to stretch. He doesn’t even have to jump to make a layup.
Olivier Rioux warming up before #Gators visit from Virginia. pic.twitter.com/Okfu9o0Dj8
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) December 4, 2024
There is still a very long way to go before Olivier Rioux is in position to dominate SEC foes. His game is not fully polished and a full year of practice will be a huge benefit to his long-term success.
With that being said, Rioux was unstoppable against multiple Division-I commits during a Canadian All-Star game back in April so it’s not like he isn’t able to get his. At his height, which made him the world’s tallest teenager as a 7-foot-5 17-year-old, there are very few defenders who can get in his face. He is so tall that even something as simple as celebrating with his much smaller teammates is a challenge.
Olivier Rioux will continue to grow (perhaps literally?) and develop over the next 10 months. In the meantime, he will try his best to fit on the bench. It has been quite the struggle thus far!