World’s Tallest Teenager, Olivier Rioux, to Redshirt in Freshman Year at Florida

Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest teenager at 7-foot-9, will be redshirting his freshman year at the University of Florida, according to an announcement by Florida coach Todd Golden. This decision means Rioux will not participate in any games during the 2024-25 season, preserving one of his four years of college eligibility.

Rioux, who holds a spot in the Guinness record book, will instead spend the season practicing with his teammates and honing his skills. This plan was discussed with Rioux, his family, his AAU coach, and other stakeholders to determine the best route for his development. Coach Golden emphasized that this decision was not made lightly and was intended to avoid burning one of Rioux’s eligible seasons unnecessarily.

Despite the decision, Rioux has been a focal point of interest for Florida fans, who have chanted for him to be put into games. In a recent game against Grambling State, Golden explained the situation to Rioux during a chaotic scene, ensuring him that the decision was made with his best interests in mind. Rioux has handled the decision well, demonstrating his coachable nature and willingness to follow the advice of those around him.

Rioux, born on February 2, 2006, in Montreal, Canada, played high school basketball at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is currently draft-eligible for the 2028 NBA Draft and has already made a name for himself in international competitions, including the U18 Americas Championship and the U19 World Cup.