Olivier Rioux

Early Life and Family Background

Olivier Rioux was born on February 2, 2006, in Terrebonne, Quebec, into a family with a pronounced history of height. His father, Jean-François Rioux, is a 6 foot 8 inch (2.03 metre) photographer and former volleyball player. His mother, Anne Gariépy, stands 6 foot 1 inch (1.85 metres) and works for the Royal Bank of Canada. The family has lived in the Anjou borough of Montreal and the suburb of Beloeil. Rioux's older brother, Émile, also inherited the family's tall genes, reaching a height of 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 metres) and playing basketball as well. Olivier began playing basketball at the age of five, often teaming up with his brother on various Canadian Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuits. His exceptional growth trajectory became evident very early, as he stood 6 foot 10 inches (2.08 metres) tall by the age of 12 while playing for the French Phenoms in international youth tournaments. Prior to moving to the United States for high school, Rioux also gained experience playing for the prestigious Real Madrid youth program in Spain and for the Canadian AAU team Brookwood Elite.

High School Career and Record Height

Rioux's high school career was defined by his continued physical development and his move to a premier basketball academy. He enrolled at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a school known for developing elite athletic talent. His height continued to increase dramatically during his teenage years, drawing comparisons in growth charts to historical figures like Robert Wadlow. In 2021, at the age of 15, Rioux was officially measured at 7 feet 5 inches (2.26 metres). This measurement led Guinness World Records to declare him the tallest living teenager in the world, a title that brought him significant media attention. His growth is considered a natural result of familial tall stature rather than a medical condition. By the time he was being recruited for college basketball in 2023, he was listed at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 metres), already taller than the tallest active NBA players at that time. His final recorded height, as of 2025, is 7 feet 9 inches (2.36 metres).

Collegiate Career at Florida

Olivier Rioux committed to play 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. He joined the 2024-25 Gators squad as a preferred walk-on, meaning he was guaranteed a roster spot without an athletic scholarship. Despite fan chants for him to play during lopsided games, head coach Todd Golden announced after the team's fourth contest that Rioux would be redshirted for the entire season. A redshirt year preserves a player's four years of NCAA eligibility by not counting that season of competition, allowing for further physical and skill development. The following season, as a redshirt freshman on the 2025-26 team, Rioux made his historic collegiate debut. He entered the game for the closing minutes of Florida's 104-64 victory over North Florida on November 6, 2025. This appearance officially made him the tallest player ever to compete in a college basketball game. On March 31, 2026, Rioux entered the NCAA transfer portal, signalling his intent to explore opportunities with another university.

Transfer to UC Irvine and Career Progression

Following his entry into the transfer portal, Olivier Rioux quickly found a new collegiate home. On April 30, 2026, he announced his transfer to the University of California, Irvine, to play for the UC Irvine Anteaters. The Anteaters compete in the Big West Conference, a NCAA Division I league. This move presented a new opportunity for Rioux to continue his development and potentially earn more playing time within a different system. His arrival at UC Irvine brought significant attention to the Anteaters' program due to his unique physical stature and his place in basketball record books. His career progression from a redshirt at Florida to a player seeking a larger role exemplifies a common path for developing athletes in collegiate sports.

Career with Canada Basketball

Olivier Rioux has been a consistent presence on Canadian youth national teams, representing his country in multiple FIBA tournaments. His international career began at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico, where he helped Canada secure a bronze medal. At that tournament, he averaged 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. The following year, he competed for Canada at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain, posting averages of 2.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. In June 2023, Rioux was selected for the Canadian squad at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary, where he averaged 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds. He won his second youth-level bronze medal at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Argentina, contributing averages of 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest. Rioux's youth national team career continued at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland, where he finished the tournament averaging 1.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Olivier Rioux first represented Canada at the youth level during the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico, where he helped Canada win a bronze medal. He played for Canada at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain the following year. In June 2023, he was selected to play for Canada at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary. The next year, he won another bronze medal at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Argentina, and he was again selected for Canada at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.

• 2021 FIBA U16 Americas: Bronze medal, 8.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG
• 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup: 2.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG
• 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup: 3.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG
• 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup: Bronze medal, 4.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG
• 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup: 1.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG

His participation in these five major youth tournaments demonstrates the confidence Canada Basketball has placed in his development over the years. This extensive experience at the international level has been a key part of his basketball education. It has provided him with valuable competition against some of the world's best young players. Rioux has represented Canada consistently in international play since he was 15 years old.

Physical Profile and Records

Olivier Rioux's primary distinction is his unprecedented height for his age and level of competition. His growth has been steady and documented publicly since early adolescence. The official recognition from Guinness World Records in 2021 cemented his status as a global curiosity. His entry into NCAA basketball with the Florida Gators in the 2025-26 season set a new benchmark, as no taller player had ever appeared in a college game. This record highlights the unique physical challenges and opportunities he faces on the court, such as rebounding and shot-blocking potential, while also requiring adaptation to the speed and coordination demands of high-level basketball. His family's height provides clear context for his stature, with both parents and his brother being exceptionally tall by general population standards. His growth pattern has been compared to that of Robert Wadlow during similar adolescent ages, and like fellow tall prospect Robert Bobroczkyi, his measurements in early adolescence approximated Wadlow's historic growth trajectory.

Questions about Olivier Rioux

How tall is Olivier Rioux?

As of 2025, Olivier Rioux stands 7 feet 9 inches tall, which is 2.36 metres. Guinness World Records declared him the tallest teenager in the world in 2021 when he measured 7 feet 5 inches, or 2.26 metres, at the age of 15. His height was listed at 7 feet 6 inches, or 2.29 metres, at the time of his recruitment to the University of Florida. He became the tallest player in college basketball history to appear in a game.

Where is Olivier Rioux from in Canada?

Olivier Rioux was born in Terrebonne, Quebec, on February 2, 2006. His family has resided in the Anjou borough of Montreal and the suburb of Beloeil. His father, Jean-François, is a photographer and former volleyball player. His mother, Anne Gariépy, works at the Royal Bank of Canada.

Which college does Olivier Rioux play for?

As of April 2026, Olivier Rioux plays for the UC Irvine Anteaters of the Big West Conference. He transferred to the University of California, Irvine after beginning his college career with the Florida Gators. He played for the Florida Gators from 2024 to 2026. He joined the 2024-25 Gators team as a preferred walk-on and was redshirted for that season.

What is Olivier Rioux's Guinness World Record?

Guinness World Records declared Olivier Rioux as the tallest teenager in the world in 2021. He earned this title when he measured 7 feet 5 inches, or 2.26 metres, tall at the age of 15. This recognition came during his high school years. His height continued to increase through his late teens.

When did Olivier Rioux make his college basketball debut?

Olivier Rioux made his college basketball debut on November 6, 2025, while playing for the Florida Gators. He checked in for the closing minutes of Florida's 104-64 win over North Florida. This appearance made him the tallest player in college basketball history to appear in a game. At the time, he stood 7 feet 9 inches, or 2.36 metres, tall.

Has Olivier Rioux played for Team Canada?

Yes, Olivier Rioux has represented Canada at the youth national team level in multiple FIBA tournaments. He first played for Canada at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico, where he helped the team win a bronze medal. His national team career also includes appearances at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain, the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary, the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Argentina, and the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland. Rioux won his second youth level bronze medal at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup. Throughout these tournaments, he contributed with various averages in points and rebounds for the Canadian teams.

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