At 7 feet, 9 inches tall, Olivier Rioux is set to tower over college basketball history, aiming to be the tallest player ever and possibly the NBA's next skyscraper sensation.

Olivier Rioux, who previously shattered records as the tallest teenager, is now poised to break new ground in college basketball as he joins the University of Florida. With a lineage of lofty relatives—his father is 6 feet, 8 inches tall and his mother stands at 6 feet, 1 inch—Rioux seems genetically primed for his latest court conquest. If the stars (and his stature) align, Rioux's next move could see him becoming the NBA's ultimate skyscraper, eclipsing even the heights of current giants.

Standing at an almost mythical 7 feet, 9 inches, Olivier Rioux is not just another player on the basketball court; he’s a landmark. His towering presence will make him the tallest to ever play college basketball, eclipsing the previous record-holder, Paul Sturgess, who stood at a relatively modest 7 feet, 8 inches.

Rioux's journey to this vertiginous height began early. By the time he was just a teenager, he had already claimed the title of tallest teenager in the Guinness World Records. His family's genetics certainly played a role in his extraordinary growth. With his father at 6 feet, 8 inches, his mother at 6 feet, 1 inch, and his brother measuring a sizeable 6 feet, 9 inches, dinner conversations must have always looked up—literally.

Unlike many kids growing up, Rioux’s path to basketball greatness started not with a simple love of the game, but with a need for an appropriately-sized hobby. He picked up a basketball at the age of 5 and never looked back. Now, his commitment to the sport and towering height are leading him to new pinnacles in the college scene.

Before enrolling at the University of Florida as a three-star recruit, Rioux showcased his skills at IMG Academy, one of the top basketball prep schools in the country. Renowned for producing top-tier talent, IMG Academy honed Rioux's abilities, preparing him for the collegiate level. His performance at IMG no doubt played a crucial role in securing his commitment to the Gators. Standing at a towering 7 feet, 9 inches, Rioux surely never has to worry about anyone missing him on the court—or in a crowd.

It's not just his height that makes Rioux noteworthy; his performance on the court is equally impressive. During the summer of 2023, he was instrumental in securing a bronze medal for Canada at the U18 FIBA AmeriCup. His efforts on the international stage showed that his talent is as outsized as his stature.

While Rioux is certainly a towering figure, he's by no means done growing—in terms of his basketball career, that is. Should he ascend to the professional ranks, he would not just join, but stand above the NBA’s tallest players. Currently, the tallest player to ever grace an NBA court was Gheorghe Mureșan at 7 feet, 7 inches, and should Rioux make it to the NBA, he would set a new record by an astounding two inches.

Aside from the physicality of his game, Rioux possesses an ever-growing awareness of his role in sports history. “Ever since I started playing, people were always looking at me to do big things—literally,” Rioux joked in a recent interview. His sense of humor seems to be as large as his height, serving him well in a career that's certain to draw a lot of attention.

Riuox's towering prospects are already generating a buzz at the University of Florida. Coaches, teammates, and rivals alike are keenly aware that they're not just watching a player but a potential record-setting phenomenon. As one teammate put it, “He’s a giant on and off the court. We’re all standing in his shadow—in the best way possible.”

Should he continue on his stratospheric rise, Rioux will not only redefine what it means to be a tall basketball player but also what is possible in the sport. Until then, he remains a looming figure of fascination—both for fans and for those tasked with guarding him. So next time you see someone ducking under a doorway on a college campus, it might just be Olivier Rioux, the nearly 8-foot recruit who’s destined to tower over the record books.