GAINESVILLE — Florida redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux’s next step will have to be a giant one, as is appropriate for the world’s tallest teenager.
The Gators’ 7-foot-9 center aims to evolve from a curiosity to a contributor. A long road still lies ahead.
If coach Todd Golden’s reigning SEC and national champions cut down the nets again in 2026, Rioux is sure to do his his part again — sans ladder, flat-footed with scissors in hand and clipping a strand of nylon as he did this past postseason.
Other contributions on the court would be surprising, if not wishful thinking next season.
“He’s arguably the most unique prospect in college,” Golden told the Orlando Sentinel recently. “He’s 7-7 ½, without shoes on. Both our program and him understand that it’s a long road for him, because he’s different.
“His best basketball might be down the road.”
At 6-3, UF coach Todd Golden is dwarfed as 7-foot-9 freshman Olivier Rioux receives instruction during a workout June 18 in Gainesville. (Courtesy of UF’s University Athletic Association)
The affable and determined 19-year-old Canadian’s journey continues as he trains with his nation’s U-19 team before joining the Gators for summer workouts, which are slated to begin Monday.
Rioux will continue to focus on his conditioning, coordination and change of direction — traits that come seamlessly for teammates yet require his constant vigilance and dedication.
“His ability to run, he made great strides that way. He has better hands and better feel than you would think,” Golden said. “His lack of explosiveness is an issue. It’s hard for him to get off the ground, and changing directions is challenging. Those are the kind of the main things that, if he can keep improving there, then he has a chance down the road.
“It’s not a guarantee, but it’s not a zero either.”
Bringing Rioux to Gainesville as a preferred walk-on was well worth the investment.
Golden’s Gators appeared to be well-stocked at the front court for at least two seasons, which would allow Rioux to develop behind the scenes without the clock ticking.
Rioux, of course, had nowhere to hide on a campus of 55,000 students and in a sports-obsessed college town. Anywhere the young man soon known as “Oli” went, he stood out, but did so with confidence and kindness.
“It’s really weird looking up to someone,” UF center Micah Handlogten joked last fall. “I’m 7-1, people normally come out and ask me, ‘You’re so tall. Do you play basketball?’ No one says a word to me. Everyone just looks up to him, it’s kinda crazy.
“It’s amazing the way he embraces it. He doesn’t shy away from it.”
Olivier Rioux, 7-foot-9 NCAA college basketball player at Florida, poses for a photo after practice, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Gainesville. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
With a mother standing 6-foot-2, a father who is 6-8 and a 6-9 older brother back home in Quebec, Rioux grew up accustomed to height at a young age. Only, he just kept growing, leading him to take up basketball.
Eventually he landed at IMG Academy — and from there to UF.
Many are sure to follow where Rioux’s path ends up.
With his redshirt season out of the way, he will be eligible to play in 2025-26. UF fans are sure to call loudly and constantly for his appearance during mop-up duty of a blowout.
Playing time won’t otherwise come easily for a player who can dunk without leaving his feet and does things at practice that leave coaches and teammates awestruck.
“When he gets in practice sometimes, he’ll just grab the ball over Condo (Alex Condon) and dunk it,” Golden marveled. “You’re like, ‘Wow. Nobody else can do that.’”
Yet, Rioux rarely is a match for the members of a front court few teams will be able to match following the 6-foot-11 Condon’s decision to withdraw from the NBA draft and come back for a third season.
UF also returns starting center Rueben Chinyelu, a 6-foot-10, 260-pound specimen who also withdrew from draft consideration, and the 7-foot-1, 255-pound Handlogten after he returned in mid-February, just 11 months after he shattered his lower left leg during the 2024 SEC Tournament.
“We still have a great front court in front of him,” Golden said. “It’s just the nature of the reality. Its gonna be hard for him to beat out those guys.”
Rioux, who hit the 7-foot mark at age 12, has always been on a different timetable, encouraging his coach to keep an eye toward a distant future.
“My hope is that he has a great year of individual development, and throughout the year, we’re able to determine that he’s a guy that can be be part of that rotation the following year,” Golden said. “That should be his goal.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Originally Published: June 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM EDT