Olivier Rioux, a young basketball player, has made headlines for his incredible height of 7-foot-9, making him the tallest college basketball player ever. At just 18 years old, the Montreal native recently graduated from high school and has committed to the University of Florida. Rioux’s height is the result of a significant growth spurt, as he was previously listed at 7-foot-6 just a few months prior.
Rioux’s family genetics likely play a role in his towering height, as his father stands at 6-foot-8, his mother is 6-foot-2, and his older brother is 6-foot-9. He has been tall since a young age, measuring 6-foot-1 at 8 years old, and surpassing 7 feet by the start of seventh grade.
Despite his impressive height, Rioux is considered a “developmental project” at Florida, meaning not much is expected of him in his freshman year. However, given his history of growth spurts, anything is possible for the towering young basketball player.