A phenomenal basketball player, Olivier Rioux was born on February 2, 2006, in Terrebonne, Canada. At 7 feet 9 inches, he is the tallest adolescent in the world. He is a first-year student at the University of Florida who became famous while playing for IMG Academy. In a number of international tournaments, Rioux has competed for Canada and contributed to their bronze medal finishes in FIBA games. With a 93-inch wingspan and a reputation for excellence on the court, he is a member of an exceptionally tall family with aspirations of playing professional basketball.
Olivier Rioux to Skirt for Florida State as a Freshman
At 7 feet 9 inches, Olivier Rioux will be the tallest adolescent in the world during his freshman year at the University of Florida. He plans to redshirt. Rioux will be able to keep his eligibility and focus on improving his game as he adjusts to college basketball, according to head coach Todd Golden‘s announcement. Many are eagerly anticipating his possible debut, but they will have to wait another season to witness him play
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A smart move on Rioux’s part, his redshirt plan lets him work out with the squad without having to use up one of his four years of eligibility. This choice will have a profound impact on his growth in the long run since, according to NCAA regulations, playing in any sport depletes one year of eligibility. To make sure it fits with Rioux’s personal and athletic objectives, Golden stressed that he and his family and coaching team worked together to discuss this strategy.
Students have been known to yell out “Oli” during home games, demonstrating the passionate reception from supporters. Although the fans are anxious to see Rioux play, Golden made it clear that he must prioritise training this season. Fans who aren’t familiar with the redshirt plan have become frustrated since they’ve noticed him sitting at the end of the bench during games.
The backstory of Rioux gives his narrative more substance. He got his start in basketball in Florida’s IMG Academy, but he was born and raised in Terrebonne, Quebec. Both of his parents are quite tall, standing at over 6 feet, which likely contributed to his exceptional stature and natural athleticism. He started playing basketball when he was very little and, because to his unusual mix of height and talent, climbed the ladder rapidly.
Rioux plans to hone his game in many ways this season as he puts in the time and effort to prepare. The coaches think he’ll benefit from this time to get used to playing at a collegiate level and hone his abilities before he plays as a true freshman the following year. Because of his height and skill, Rioux is sure to become a huge attraction for spectators, and Golden is confident in his ability to make an effect on the squad when he plays.
To sum up, Olivier Rioux is making a strategic move by opting to redshirt at Florida. He wants to make the most of his time there to improve as a player and save his eligibility for future seasons. Fans and coaches alike are filled with optimism as they watch this exceptional young athlete train for the trials that lie ahead.
Olivier Rioux Parents
Olivier Rioux stands at an impressive 7 feet 9 inches, thanks in large part to the towering stature of his parents, Jean-François and Anne Gariepy. The 6’1″ Anne works for the Royal Bank of Canada, while the 6’8″ Jean-François is a photographer and ex-volleyball player. Their tall size has had a major role in Olivier’s development; he has said that his height is due more to heredity than to illness.
Émile, Olivier’s elder brother, is 6 feet 9 inches tall and loves basketball just as much as Olivier does. The Beloeil and Montreal areas of Quebec are among the many that the family has called home. Olivier has learnt to handle the stares and questions that come with being tall from growing up in a tall household. He says that being the centre of attention as a University of Florida collegiate basketball player is nothing new, and that his family’s history of dealing with the public eye has helped him prepare for it.
A big part of Olivier’s success as a basketball player has come from the Rioux family’s history of athleticism and their encouraging atmosphere. From an early age on, his parents pushed him and Émile to be active athletes. They participated on many AAA teams in Canada and even competed internationally. The history of height and athleticism in Olivier’s family serves as a constant source of inspiration as he begins his college basketball adventure.
olivier rioux stats
Notable UF basketball player Olivier Rioux is sitting out his first year as a redshirt student. Rebounding and shot-blocking are two areas where his 93-inch wingspan and towering stature really shine. In 2023, Rioux helped lead Canada to a bronze medal at the U18 FIBA AmeriCup, solidifying his status as a three-star talent.
At IMG Academy, he demonstrated his abilities with a number of statistics. His efficient scoring was on display at the U18 Americas Championship, when he averaged 4.5 points per game and had a field goal percentage of 52.9%. Even though he didn’t get much playing time, he still managed to rack up an impressive 4.5 rebounds per game on average.
Rioux has improved as a player, and his statistics in club tournaments show that. He has shown his flexibility and talent in a number of games, often completing plays well around the basket. His encouraging results in international tournaments suggest he is capable of competing at the highest levels.
Basketball fans and experts alike are excited to see Rioux’s performance in the NCAA as he gets ready to make his debut. His goal is to have a major influence in collegiate basketball and maybe even play in the NBA someday, so everyone is watching his every move.
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