Latest news with #FIBAUnder-16AmericasChampionship
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Exciting News Emerges About Florida's 7-Foot-9 Center
Exciting News Emerges About Florida's 7-Foot-9 Center originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Last season, the Florida Gators put the bow on an incredible 36-4 season with their third national title victory in program history. Advertisement Florida deployed an elite three-man backcourt, two two-way forwards, and a massive 6-foot-11, 245-pound center, dominating opponents with an unstoppable offense and clutch defense. With the Gators being a prevailing force, head coach Todd Golden did not need the towering 7-foot-9 presence of freshman center Olivier Rioux. Although Rioux did not make his Gators debut last year, he will have an opportunity to compete this summer in meaningful basketball. According to Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun, Rioux will participate in the FIBA U19 World Cup, which begins this weekend. Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32).Eakin Howard-Imagn Images A Canadian-born center, Rioux will contend in his fifth straight summer games. Last year in the U18 Americas, his team earned the bronze medal. He scored 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Advertisement His most impressive international performance came during the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico, where he helped Canada win a bronze medal by averaging 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. The expectation is for Rioux to compete for playing time with Florida next season after his developmental redshirt season. Florida will return starting center Rueben Chinyelu, but the big often struggled with foul trouble. Alex Condon can also play center, but often found himself used in the four-spot alongside Chinyelu. However, fellow centers Micah Handlogten and Viktor Mikic are expected to return to Gainesville, making the center position a spot of deep depth for head coach Todd Golden. Related: Florida's NCAA Tournament Title Game Revealed to be Most-Watched Basketball Game of the Year This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
No. 1 College Basketball Recruit AJ Dybantsa Turns Heads With New Post
AJ Dybantsa is considered the No. 1 recruit in the nation from the high school class of 2025. He spent this season at Utah Prep, and he will be heading to Brigham Young this fall to start his college basketball career. Scouts seem to think very highly of the 6-foot-9 forward, and many expect him to leave college after his freshman year to go into the NBA draft, where he's projected to be the first player chosen. Advertisement On his official Instagram account, he posted a video of himself working on his basketball skills, and fans across the land have taken notice. "Lead the way," one fan wrote. "Generational Talent Otw," another fan wrote. "so tuff #1," a third fan wrote. "Very proud of you lil bro," a fourth fan wrote. "Good luck ❤️," a fifth fan wrote. "Travel lol," a sixth fan wrote. Dybantsa has a wingspan of over seven feet, and he can score at all three levels, although his mid-range pull-up game is considered his biggest strength, according to a scouting report from 247Sports. The Massachusetts native is also thought to have plenty of potential to become an impact player on the defensive end as well. Team Oak Soldier's AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks the Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK Two years ago, Dybantsa represented the United States in the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico, and he helped the Stars and Stripes earn a gold medal. Advertisement This past season, BYU qualified for the NCAA Tournament as the sixth seed in the East region. It got to the Sweet Sixteen round, where it was blown out by Alabama, 113-88. Related: Dan Hurley's UConn Huskies Make Decision on Top Transfer Portal Player
