WATCH: Shaq meets 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux, Florida freshman center
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It’s not often that NBA great Shaquille O’Neal runs into someone taller than him. For Florida freshman center Olivier Rioux, it never happens.
At 7-foot-9, Rioux is the tallest college basketball player in NCAA history. He recently crossed paths with Shaq and appeared in a TikTok video skit with him.
He’s seen intimidating a man much shorter than him, only to turn around and come face-to-chest with Rioux, who is eight inches taller than the 7-foot-1 O’Neal.
During preseason camp, Rioux said O’Neal is one of the players he tries to model his game after.
“I like Zach Edey obviously. Shaquille O’Neal. His physicality is amazing,” Rioux said. “I like Magic, his passing. Obviously he’s not a center, but I still like his passes. And then Victor Wembanyama.”
Rioux holds the Guinness World Record holder for tallest teenager. He was 6-foot-1 at 8 years old, 6-foot-11 by sixth grade and over 7-foot tall before seventh grade.
Rioux appeared with Canada’s national team in several FIBA events, including the 2024 U18 FIBA AmeriCup, 2023 U19 World Cup, the 2022 U17 World Cup and the 2021 U16 Americas Championship.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Johntay Cook
Texas WR, Huskies part ways
- 2
Transfer Portal window
Coaches propose big change
- 3Hot
Sanders addresses rumors
Prime talks Cowboys job
- 4
Fake injuries
New rule under discussion
- 5Trending
Kiffin jabs Saban
Sydney Thomas pic sparks shot
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
He helped Canada to a bronze medal at the 2023 U18 FIBA AmeriCup while averaging 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, including 10 points against Venezuela and nine rebounds against Puerto Rico.
Rioux attended IMG Academy and was rated a three-star prospect, joining the Gators as a preferred walk-on. He is redshirting this season as a true freshman to develop his game more and fill out his frame.
“He is a great kid,” UF coach Todd Golden said of Rioux. “Love his parents, and when they showed interest in coming here as a preferred walk-on, it was kind of a no-brainer for us. In the sense of, it’s a low risk, high reward opportunity for everybody. I think we have great resources, facilities. We feed our guys really well, you know, him being 7-9, just having all those resources. I think was really important to him.
“And you know, we’ve seen guys like Zach Edey, Tacko Fall, have really, really good success at some point in their career. Obviously, it takes a while, though, and so because of his mindset and his willingness to come in and work, we felt like it was a worthwhile investment on both sides. So … he’s a guy that I anticipate will continue to grow and at some point help move the needle for us.”
