Olivier Rioux parents: A look at world’s tallest teen’s parents’ height

The Florida Gators have a massive player, literally, entering their program in the form of Olivier Rioux. He is one of the tallest players to ever enter the court. The Canadian center has been one of the more exciting prospects joining college basketball this season with his skyscraping height.

Rioux is going to make history as the tallest player in college basketball history at 7-foot-9. Not surprisingly, his parents are tall themselves as his father is 6-foot-8 and mother 6-foot-2.

Coming out of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Olivier Rioux was a three-star prospect according to 247Spors. He has significant experience heading into his collegiate career as he has been part of many FIBA events. These include the 2024 U18 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2023 U19 World Cup, the 2022 U17 World Cup and the 2021 U16 Americas Championship.

That experience is going to help him be a solid piece for the Gators going forward.

Why is Olivier Rioux so tall?

Olivier Rioux is one of the tallest college basketball players ever and his unusual height was visible from an early age. At just eight years old, Rioux was already 6-foot-1 and was seven feet tall by the beginning of seventh grade.

While there could be medical reasons for the height, such as gigantism, those medical explanations have been officially ruled out as a reason.

Rioux is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest teenager when he was 16 years old and standing at 7-foot-5. During an interview, he said his height is likely the result of having two tall parents.

"We're still not 100% [sure] why I'm so tall - after investigation, doctors could only explain it with the genetics that my family has. My father is 6'8", my mom is 6'2" and my older brother is 6'9". So we're a pretty tall family." h/t Yahoo Sports

As incredibly tall as Rioux has been, it will be interesting to see how he does on the basketball court for the Florida Gators this season. Height is very useful in basketball but he would need some skills too to go along with his wide reach.