Olivier Rioux

Early Life and Family Background

Olivier Rioux was born on February 2, 2006, in Terrebonne, Quebec, to parents Jean-François Rioux and Anne Gariépy. His height is a familial trait, with his father, a photographer and former volleyball player, standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and his mother, who works at the Royal Bank of Canada, measuring 6 feet 1 inch. Rioux's older brother, Émile, is also a basketball player and stands 6 feet 9 inches tall. The family has lived in the Anjou borough of Montreal and the suburb of Beloeil, providing Rioux with a typical Quebec upbringing despite his atypical size. He began playing basketball at the age of five, following in his brother's footsteps and participating on various Canadian AAU teams. His exceptional growth was evident from a young age, as he reached 6 feet 10 inches by the time he was 12 years old while playing for the French Phenoms in international competition. Prior to attending the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for high school, Rioux also spent time playing for Real Madrid's youth program and the Canadian AAU team Brookwood Elite, gaining experience on both sides of the Atlantic.

Record-Breaking Stature and Growth

Rioux's growth trajectory has been a subject of widespread fascination. Guinness World Records officially declared him the tallest teenager in the world in 2021 when, at age 15, he measured 7 feet 5 inches. His continued growth has seen him reach a height of 7 feet 9 inches as of 2025. Medical analysis indicates his growth is considered natural, stemming from his family's genetic predisposition for tall stature. His development through adolescence has drawn comparisons, like that of fellow tall prospect Robert Bobroczkyi, to the historical growth pattern of Robert Wadlow, who was the tallest person in recorded history. This extraordinary height has defined Rioux's basketball journey, presenting unique challenges and opportunities on the court where he uses his reach for shot blocking and scoring near the basket. His physical presence alone makes him a formidable defensive obstacle and a constant lob threat on offence.

College Career with the Florida Gators

Rioux committed to play college basketball for the University of Florida Gators in November 2023. He was originally part of the 2025 recruiting class but successfully reclassified to join the team a year earlier as a member of the class of 2024. At the time of his recruitment, he was listed at 7 feet 6 inches, which was taller than any active NBA or college player at that time. He joined the Gators for the 2024-25 season as a preferred walk-on, with his official height updated to 7 feet 9 inches. Despite fan chants for him to play, head coach Todd Golden announced early in the season that Rioux would be redshirted to preserve a year of his eligibility, meaning he practiced with the team but did not appear in games. As a redshirt, he was still a member of Florida's 2025 national championship team. The following season, as a redshirt freshman on the 2025-26 team, Rioux made his historic debut. He entered a game for the closing minutes of Florida's 104-64 victory over North Florida on November 6, 2025, thereby becoming the tallest player ever to appear in a college basketball game. He appeared in 11 total games for the Gators that season, recording 7 points and 6 rebounds. On March 31, 2026, Rioux entered the NCAA transfer portal, concluding his time in Gainesville.

Transfer to UC Irvine Anteaters

On April 30, 2026, Olivier Rioux announced his transfer to the University of California, Irvine, to play for the UC Irvine Anteaters of the Big West Conference. Listed as a junior on the Anteaters' 2026-27 roster, Rioux brings his historic height and two years of experience within a major college program to the West Coast. The transfer marked a significant shift in his career path, moving from a high-profile Southeastern Conference (SEC) program to a competitive mid-major conference known for developing talent. At UC Irvine, Rioux aims to secure more consistent playing time and further develop his skills under a new coaching staff. His arrival generated considerable excitement for Anteaters basketball, offering the program a unique and physically dominant presence in the paint that is rare at any level of the sport.

Career with Canada Basketball

Rioux has been a consistent presence on Canadian national youth teams since 2021. He first represented Canada at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico, where he helped the team win a bronze medal while averaging 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. The following year, he competed at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain, posting averages of 2.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. His international experience continued at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary, where he averaged 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds. Rioux earned his second youth-level bronze medal at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Argentina, contributing 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He was selected again for the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland, finishing the tournament with averages of 1.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. Through these tournaments, Rioux has gained valuable experience against international competition, representing Canada on the global stage and contributing to the pipeline of talent for Canada Basketball's senior national team program.

Playing Style and Future Prospects

As a centre, Rioux's game is inherently defined by his extreme height and wingspan. His primary strengths are his ability to protect the rim defensively and finish plays around the basket offensively, requiring minimal elevation to dunk or alter shots. Coaches and analysts note that his sheer size creates immediate advantages in rebounding and interior defence, often forcing opponents to alter their offensive schemes. The major focus of his development has been on improving his footwork, conditioning, and overall skill level to complement his physical gifts and compete at higher levels of basketball. The question of whether he can develop into an NBA prospect is a common topic of discussion, as his height alone generates professional interest. His future trajectory will depend significantly on his ability to add strength, refine his basketball IQ, and demonstrate his capabilities with increased minutes at UC Irvine. His journey remains a compelling story of how extreme physical attributes intersect with the technical demands of elite sport.

Questions about Olivier Rioux

How tall is Olivier Rioux?

As of 2025, Olivier Rioux stands 7 feet 9 inches tall, which is approximately 2.36 metres. He first gained recognition from Guinness World Records as the world's tallest teenager in 2021 when he was 15 years old and measured 7 feet 5 inches. His height comes from a tall family, with his father being 6 feet 8 inches and his mother 6 feet 1 inches. This makes him the tallest player in the history of college basketball.

Where is Olivier Rioux from in Canada?

Olivier Rioux is from Terrebonne, Quebec. He was born there on February 2, 2006. His family has also resided in the Anjou borough of Montreal and the suburb of Beloeil. He played for various Canadian AAU basketball teams during his youth before moving to the United States to attend IMG Academy in Florida for his high school education and basketball development.

Did Olivier Rioux play for the Florida Gators?

Yes, Olivier Rioux played for the Florida Gators from 2024 to 2026. He joined the team as a preferred walk-on for the 2024-25 season but was redshirted, meaning he practiced with the team but did not play in games. In the 2025-26 season, he made his debut and appeared in 11 games, scoring 7 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. He entered the NCAA transfer portal in March 2026.

What is Olivier Rioux's Guinness World Record?

Guinness World Records declared Olivier Rioux as the tallest teenager in the world in 2021. He achieved this record when he measured 7 feet 5 inches tall at the age of 15. This recognition brought him significant international attention. His height has continued to increase since that measurement.

Who are Olivier Rioux's parents and how tall are they?

Olivier Rioux's father is Jean François Rioux, a photographer and former volleyball player who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall. His mother is Anne Gariépy, who works at the Royal Bank of Canada and is 6 feet 1 inches tall. His family's tall stature is considered natural. His older brother Émile is also tall at 6 feet 9 inches and has played basketball.

When did Olivier Rioux first play for Canada's national youth team?

Olivier Rioux first represented Canada at the youth level during the 2021 FIBA Under 16 Americas Championship in Mexico. He helped the Canadian team win a bronze medal at that tournament. He finished the event with averages of 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. This began his ongoing participation in FIBA youth competitions for Canada.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.