Florida Gators commit Olivier Rioux has grown to 7’9″, extending his own Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest teenager.
Rioux, who is listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, is now taller than any player to ever suit up in the NCAA or NBA.
Currently, the tallest NCAA player on record is former Florida Tech and Mountain State center Paul Sturgess, who was listed as 7’8″.
The tallest players to compete in the NBA were Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, both of whom were 7’7″.
18-year-old Florida commit Olivier Rioux is now listed at 7’9” 👀
He was 7’5” when we filmed him 2 years ago.
7’6” last year (this video).
7’7” earlier this year.
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 19, 2024
But a new record holder is on his way, at least in terms of college basketball.
According to the Florida Gators’ official website, Rioux was 6’1″ at eight years old and passed seven feet before he’d even started the seventh grade.
Rioux was listed at 7’7″ just months ago, but has continued to grow despite being 18 years old. On average, boys tend to stop growing at around 16 years of age.
The Montreal native has been playing for IMG Academy, which has produced numerous NBA players, including Anfernee Simons, Josh Green and Michael Beasley. Fellow Canadian big man Zach Edey also attended IMG.
Rioux has also represented Canada at the junior level. He averaged 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in limited minutes at the U19 FIBA World Cup last year.
He will now head to an iconic Florida program that won back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007.
