Gators Earn Pledge From World's Tallest Teen, Center Olivier Rioux
Todd Golden and the Gators basketball program earned a late-night commitment from a towering frontcourt prospect on Wednesday.
Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy big man Olivier Rioux has committed to the Florida Gators, he announced via Instagram.
The 7-foot-6 center from Beloeli, Quebec, Canada holds the current Guinness World Record as the world's tallest teenager (among males). The 17-year-old earned comparisons to Purdue's Zach Edey, a fellow Canadian and 7-plus-footer, as a result.
Rioux is currently unranked by the 247Sports Composite ratings but holds a three-star status as the No. 147 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle after reclassifying from the 2025 class, according to On3 Sports.
A raw prospect at this stage, Rioux continues to develop an offensive repertoire beyond playing above the rim at IMG Academy. He displays rare height and length to serve as a dominant defensive presence as a rim protector at the next level, however, traits Golden and his staff covet in their quest to equip the frontcourt with adequate talent and depth moving forward, specifically the five spot.
Multiple roster spots at the four and five will become available following the completion of the Gators' 2023-24 season, with Tyrese Samuel set to depart and following the retirement of forward EJ Jarvis before the campaign. Florida lands Rioux as the first replacement in that area.
Rioux joins shooting guard Isaiah Brown in the Gators 2024 class. Brown put pen to paper on his pledge to Florida on Wednesday as part of Early National Signing Day for college basketball.
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