Latest news with #FIBAU19WorldCup
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
World's tallest teen, 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux, tries playing football at Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The world's tallest teenager is trying his hand — his reach, really — at football. Florida basketball player Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center who played for the Under-19 Canadian national team this summer, recently worked out for the Gators' football team. Rioux donned an orange helmet and took snaps on special teams, with Florida assistant coaches hoping his massive wingspan might be a difference maker when it comes to blocking field goals and extra points. 'I like the idea,' Gators basketball coach Todd Golden said during a booster event Thursday evening. 'I give them credit for trying it.' There was one issue: The 305-pound Rioux has an 11-inch vertical, so even with his extra-long reach, he was unable to block any kicks during the workout. 'They were a little disappointed,' Golden said. No worries. Rioux can simply stick to his full-time gig with the hoops team. After redshirting as a true freshman last season, he's expected to get on the court in limited capacity this fall. He's unlikely to play much considering the defending national champions return their entire frontcourt, but he should at least get on the court in garbage time. Golden already has considered using him to guard inbound passes, something Rioux did to perfection just before halftime against the United States in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland earlier this month. Rioux forced an errant pass that led to a turnover and a 3-pointer just before halftime. Rioux's unusual height landed him in the Guinness World Records a few years ago and he has become a walking viral video at Florida. While coaches and teammates climbed a ladder to cut pieces of the nets after the Gators won the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Rioux was able to do it while standing flat-footed. Long writes for the Associated Press.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
World's tallest teen, Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux gives football a try
They say that the sky is the limit when it comes to people pursuing greatness, but for Florida basketball's towering center Olivier Rioux, the higher altitudes are where he reigns. The 7-foot-9-inch native of Canada, who is designated as the world's tallest teenager by the Guinness Book of World Records, still has some work to do when it comes to getting court time for the Gators this coming season. But that did not stop him from taking an opportunity to work out with the football program recently. The team's special teams coaches geared Rioux up and gave him a few snaps during practice, hoping that his height and wingspan could prove to be an effective approach for blocking field goals and extra points. During a booster event on Thursday evening, coach Todd Golden seemed perfectly fine with him getting some reps on the gridiron. "I like the idea," he said. "I give them credit for trying it." However, the experiment was less than successful. Sure, Rioux is tall and long, but he is only able to achieve an 11-inch vertical leap with his 305-pound frame, which just does not cut it for that specific role. "They were a little disappointed," Golden offered. It sounds like he will stick to basketball... at least, for now. Rioux competed on behalf of Team Canada this summer in the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, helping his team earn a 5-2 record while finishing fifth overall in the standings. In seven games played, the young Gator totaled 11 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and one assist while averaging a little over nine minutes per contest. The redshirt freshman is expected to see some playing time during Florida's defense of its national championship next season, but he will be limited by the team's depth in the front court. With Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Micah Handlogten and Reuben Chinyelu all returning, Rioux will most likely be relegated to garbage time. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
6 days ago
- Sport
World's tallest teen, 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux, gives football a try at Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The world's tallest teenager is trying his hand — his reach, really — at football. Florida basketball player Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center who played for the Under-19 Canadian national team this summer, recently worked out for the Gators' football team. Rioux donned an orange helmet and took snaps on special teams, with Florida assistant coaches hoping his massive wingspan might be a difference maker when it comes to blocking field goals and extra points. 'I like the idea," Gators basketball coach Todd Golden said during a booster event Thursday evening. 'I give them credit for trying it.' There was one issue: The 305-pound Rioux has an 11-inch vertical, so even with his extra-long reach, he was unable to block any kicks during the workout. 'They were a little disappointed,' Golden said. No worries. Rioux can simply stick to his full-time gig with the hoops team. After redshirting as a true freshman last season, he's expected to get on the court in limited capacity this fall. He's unlikely to play much considering the defending national champions return their entire frontcourt, but he should at least get on the court in garbage time. Golden already has considered using him to guard inbound passes, something Rioux did to perfection just before halftime against the United States in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland earlier this month. Rioux forced an errant pass that led to a turnover and a 3-pointer just before halftime. Rioux's unusual height landed him in the Guinness World Records a few years ago and he has become a walking viral video at Florida. While coaches and teammates climbed a ladder to cut pieces of the nets after the Gators won the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Rioux was able to do it while standing flat-footed.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
World's Tallest Teen, 7-foot-9 Center Olivier Rioux, Tries Football at Florida
The world's tallest teenager is trying his hand — his reach, really — at football. Florida basketball player Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center who played for the Under-19 Canadian national team this summer, recently worked out for the Gators' football team. Rioux donned an orange helmet and took snaps on special teams, with Florida assistant coaches hoping his massive wingspan might be a difference maker when it comes to blocking field goals and extra points. "I like the idea," Gators basketball coach Todd Golden said during a booster event Thursday evening. "I give them credit for trying it." There was one issue: The 305-pound Rioux has an 11-inch vertical, so even with his extra-long reach, he was unable to block any kicks during the workout. "They were a little disappointed," Golden said. No worries. Rioux can simply stick to his full-time gig with the hoops team. After redshirting as a true freshman last season, he's expected to get on the court in a limited capacity this fall. He's unlikely to play much considering the defending national champions return their entire frontcourt, but he should at least get on the court in garbage time. Golden has already considered using him to guard inbound passes, something Rioux did to perfection just before halftime against the United States in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland earlier this month. Rioux forced an errant pass that led to a turnover and a 3-pointer just before halftime. Rioux's unusual height landed him in the Guinness World Records a few years ago, and he has become a walking viral video at Florida. While coaches and teammates climbed a ladder to cut pieces of the nets after the Gators won the SEC Tournament, Rioux was able to do it while standing flat-footed. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
1News
6 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
World's tallest teen gives football a try at Florida university
The world's tallest teenager is trying his hand — his reach, really — at football. Florida basketball player Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 (2.36m) centre who played for the Under-19 Canadian national team this summer, recently worked out for the Gators' football team. Rioux donned an orange helmet and took snaps on special teams, with Florida assistant coaches hoping his massive wingspan might be a difference maker when it comes to blocking field goals and extra points. 'I like the idea," Gators basketball coach Todd Golden said during a booster event on Thursday evening. 'I give them credit for trying it.' There was one issue: The 138kg Rioux has an 11-inch (27.94cm) vertical, so even with his extra-long reach, he was unable to block any kicks during the workout. ADVERTISEMENT "They were a little disappointed," Golden said. No worries. Rioux can simply stick to his full-time gig with the hoops team. After redshirting as a true freshman last season, he's expected to get on the court in limited capacity this fall. He's unlikely to play much considering the defending national champions return their entire frontcourt, but he should at least get on the court in garbage time. Golden already has considered using him to guard inbound passes, something Rioux did to perfection just before halftime against the United States in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland earlier this month. Rioux forced an errant pass that led to a turnover and a 3-pointer just before halftime. Rioux's unusual height landed him in the Guinness World Records a few years ago and he has become a walking viral video at Florida. While coaches and teammates climbed a ladder to cut pieces of the nets after the Gators won the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Rioux was able to do it while standing flat-footed.
