Hhe never stops surprise even though he has become a recognizable face in basketball. Olivier Rioux was once the tallest teenager in the world – A Guinness World Record Holder – when he was 2.26 m tall at the age of 15. It caught everyone's attention, including Real Madrid, with whom he even had a trialbut he didn't stay in their youth system. He made the jump to American college basketball with the mighty Florida Gators, and the Canadian never fails to impress.
Rioux continues to grow. He is now 18 years old and measures 2.36 meters. His size is so huge that everything is too small for him, even the hoop, as seen in his latest viral image during a warm-up. Rioux walks on tiptoes and already reaches the board with the ball, and all movements near the hoop are easy for him.
However, he still has to prove himself. This season he has become a red shirt player, one of those who is on the team but does not play in matches. “We should make that clear. Honestly, I put him in a difficult situation. He participates in games and people yell at him to get out. But that's not our plan” said Todd Goldenhis trainer. Rioux is training with his teammates this year and improving, and will return in 2025 as a rookie.
He participates in the games and people shout at him to leave. But that's not our plan
“He's a great kid and he likes to do what's best for others. He's easy to coach. It's his decision, and it's something our program has talked to him about, as well as “to his family, his parents and his coaches”, admitted his coach. Rioux is viral… and he hasn't even played yet.
His last real matches took place at FIBA Americas in the U18 category with the Canadian national team last March. He played six games and averaged 4.5 points with 4.5 rebounds.
Source link: https://www.marca.com/en/basketball/2024/12/05/67521636e2704e86bd8b45be.html