Olivier Rioux commands attention before he even steps on to a basketball court. The 20-year-old was previously the world’s tallest teenager, towering over his peers at a remarkable seven feet and nine inches, which is two inches bigger than the tallest-ever NBA player.

The Canadian centre rose to prominence ahead of last year’s March Madness. He was part of the Florida Gators squad that won the NCAA tournament in 2025. A number of basketball fans tipped Rioux to catch the eye of NBA scouts but Gators head coach Todd Golden had a different plan. Despite calls for the record-breaking teenager to be introduced, Rioux was redshirted, meaning he would not play during the season to preserve his college basketball eligibility.

The 20-year-old is accustomed to the attention his large frame draws, having first set his old world record at 15. However, Rioux also began claiming records on the court in November, becoming the tallest college basketball player in history in his Gators debut against North Florida.

A month later, Rioux toppled another college basketball record. He is the tallest player to have scored a basket at the college level following his score against in a 102-61 victory over Saint Francis.

However, while it is his second year with the Gators, the Canada U19 international has been a bit-part player. He has featured in nine games so far this season, totalling 15 minutes of action.

Discussing Rioux’s limited opportunities at the start of this year, coach Golden told ESPN: “I know he’s sitting over there probably like, ‘Damn man, I didn’t know all these guys were coming back.’ So it’s going to be a tough one this year to play. It really will be. But…I do think he has some really good basketball ahead of him, whether it’s here at Florida or somewhere else.”

The Gators enter March Madness as one of four No.1 seeds due to their 26-7 record in the Southeastern Conference. While he will not be expected to play a major role during March Madness, Rioux is far from downbeat about his prospects.

“I think a lot of people don’t really know what I’m committed to doing,” he said to ESPN. “Obviously, you see a highlight here and there, but you don’t see what the person is capable of doing. I want to push myself to be able to do that.”