How tall can a person really be? 7 feet 9 inches sounds almost impossible to believe. But then there's Olivier Rioux, officially the tallest player in NCAA basketball history.
Because of his height, even simple things on the court look unreal. He barely has to jump to score, and when he stands next to other players, who are already considered tall, the difference is shocking. It's no surprise that videos of the Canadian college basketball player Rioux keep going viral online. But who exactly is Olivier Rioux? Where did he come from, and what makes him so tall? Let's find out.
Who is Olivier Rioux?
The 20-year-old from Quebec, Terrebonne has been towering over people since childhood. At just eight years old, he was already 6 feet 1 inch tall. By the time he turned 15, he had grown to 7 feet 5 inches, earning a Guinness World Record as the tallest teenager in the world.
Rioux currently plays for the Florida Gators in the NCAA and is part of the squad as a redshirt freshman for the 2025-26 season. While he is still developing and getting limited minutes, his presence alone makes him one of the most talked-about players in college basketball.
Career Stats
He made his NCAA debut on November 6, 2025, against North Florida, officially becoming the tallest player ever to feature in a US college basketball game. Rioux has played 10 games, spending around 13 minutes on the court in total and scoring five points. His first collegiate basket came as a dunk against Saint Francis in December 2025.
On Sunday, March 21, Rioux also made a brief appearance in a first-round win over Prairie View A&M. During his short time on the court, he had a moment with Hassam Diallo, who walked up to him for a quick exchange that showed the height difference between them. Soon after, Rioux scored a put-back dunk that quickly went viral on social media.
Rioux has represented Canada in several FIBA Tournaments. In the 2023 U18 AmeriCup, he helped Canada win a bronze medal, averaging 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
How is Olivier Rioux so Tall?
No one can answer that, but genetics play a huge role here. Rioux comes from a tall family, his father is around 6'8", his mother is about 6'2", and his older brother stands at 6'9".
Speaking to Guinness World Records 2022, Rioux explained that doctors largely credited his height to family genetics. Speaking for how does it feel to be the tallest wherever he goes, Oli said, "I learned to be peaceful and happy about it."
"I have to duck under door frames. Since all the doors are at different heights, it is not always easy to avoid them. Sometimes I hit my head," he added.
Tallest Player in NBA?
As of the 2025-26 NBA season, Victor Wembanyama at 7 feet 5 inches (226 cm) of the San Antonio Spurs stands at the tallest active player. However, the record for being the tallest in NBA history is shared by Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol who were both listed at 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 m).
If Olivier Rioux makes it to the NBA in future, he will stand as the tallest player in the sport in entire history.