Latest news with #OlivierRioux
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Receive Unfortunate News on 7-Foot-9 Center
Florida Receive Unfortunate News on 7-Foot-9 Center originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As fans tuned in to watch the Florida Gators during their run to the NCAA Tournament Championship this past season, they likely noticed a towering figure on the bench. Advertisement Standing at 7-foot-9, freshman center Olivier Rioux frequently caught attention for just about anything he did, whether it was being taller than people while sitting down, or cutting down the nets without a ladder. However, the Guinness World Record holder for being the tallest teenager in the world didn't log a single minute for the Gators. Head coach Todd Golden revealed that Rioux has a long way to go in his development before he can make a meaningful contribution. A sentiment that CBS Sports' David Cobb revealed is still the case after watching Rioux play for Canada in the FIBA U19 World Cup. "Florida's 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux is making strides, but the FIBA U19 World Cup showed that he isn't ready to hold down a significant role in the SEC just yet," wrote Cobb. "The towering redshirt freshman caught the nation's attention with his hulking frame while participating in practices and pregame warmups with the Gators during their national title run last season. But Rioux's lack of lateral quickness relegated him to a bit role with the Canadian team." Advertisement Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) and center Olivier Tencza-Imagn Images This was Rioux's fifth time playing for Canada in a FIBA tournament, but unfortunately, his least productive statistically. In seven games, he averaged just 1.6 points per game while grabbing two rebounds per game. His best outing came against Team USA in the team's 108-102 quarterfinals loss, which saw him score three points, grab two rebounds, register two blocks and a steal. Back in March, Golden admitted it'd be a "challenge" for Rioux to play in the 2025-26 season, but did say he can see him having a role somewhere down the line. A sentiment echoed by Cobb, who called him a "long-term project." Advertisement So, while fans may want to see the giant in action, it appears they'll have to wait. Related: Florida's 7-foot-9 Center Shines Against Team USA This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida's 7-foot-9 Center Shines Against Team USA
Florida's 7-foot-9 Center Shines Against Team USA originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Gators will attempt to win back-to-back national championships for the second time in program history when they take the floor for the 2025-26 season. After an incredible year, head coach Todd Golden and Florida had to retool their roster in an attempt to win another title. Advertisement As part of that revised roster will be the Guinness World Record holder for tallest teenager, redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux. Before the 7-foot-9 center takes the floor for the first time as a Gator, after not playing a single minute during his first year in Gainesville, he is showcasing his talent on the global stage. Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Rioux is representing his home country of Canada this summer in the 2025 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup. On Friday, he and the rest of Canada's top teenage talent faced off against Team USA, ultimately losing 108-102 in a quarterfinal matchup at the Lausanne Arena in Switzerland. Advertisement Rioux logged 12 minutes while starting at center for Canada, notching three points on 1-for-2 shooting from the floor. While his point total doesn't jump off the stat sheet, Rioux filled up the rest of his box score with two rebounds, two blocks and one steal. He played limited minutes due to getting in foul trouble, ending the game with four personals. With the loss, Rioux and Canada's run in the World Cup is now over, while Team USA will take on New Zealand in the semifinals on Saturday. The former three-star recruit from IMG Academy finishes with nine total points in five appearances for Team Canada in the tournament. He also ends with nine rebounds. Now, as Rioux's run with Team Canada is over for the summer, his attention will turn back to the Gators. While he may not play a huge role on Golden's squad this season, he will most likely be a part of Florida's run to claim a second straight national title. Related: Florida Trending for No. 22 College Basketball Recruit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Latest stats from Olivier Rioux with Team Canada at FIBA U19 World Cup vs Germany, Mali
Canada fell to Germany, 104-88, in the final game of Group B in the first stage of the FIBA U19 World Cup on Tuesday, but Florida redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux had arguably his best game of the tournament. The opposite was true on Wednesday as Canada bounced back for a Round of 16 win over Mali, 100-75, while Rioux struggled with foul trouble. The 7-foot-9 phenom has drawn a ton of attention since joining the Florida Gators, and these are the first games fans can see him in action on the court. Rioux is still very raw and learning to manipulate his large body and long limbs without fouling too often. He's not likely to play a ton during the 2025-26 college basketball season, outside of non-conference blowout wins, so these are valuable minutes for someone with an infinitely high ceiling — wordplay not intended. Game 3: Canada vs Germany (L, 104-88) Rioux scored four points on 2-of-2 shooting in the game against Germany. He played earlier than normal, seeing minutes in the first quarter. He positioned himself well on the offensive boards, tipping a missed shot back in for half his box score. That's Rioux's only offensive rebound of the tournament so far, and it's a nice sign to see. There's some Florida, Todd Golden sequencing in there if you look closely enough. That's the kind of film that will get him more minutes next season Game 4: Canada vs Mali (W, 100-75) Four personal fouls limited Rioux to just five minutes on the court Wednesday. There wasn't much room for debate on any of the calls, making this a learning lesson for the oversized center. SEC players are going to take advantage of a big player who doesn't know how to get out of the way. Rioux often goes forward while defending the shot instead of up, which is the only direction he needs to go at 7-foot-9. Olivier Rioux FIBA U19 World Cup Stats Next up for Oliver Rioux, Team Canada Rioux and his fellow Canadians will face the United States in the quarterfinal round held on Friday, July 4, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Tipoff is slated for 5:15 p.m. (GMT+2) local time and 11:15 a.m. ET inside Lausanne Arena. 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.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Olivier Rioux stats from Game 2 of FIBA U19 World Cup vs. Slovenia
Team Canada was at its best while Florida big man Olivier Rioux was on the court Monday morning in an 82-63 win over Slovenia at the FIBA U19 World Cup. Rioux played just five minutes and didn't put up any meaningful numbers in the group stage opener on Sunday, but he had one of the top five plus-minus performances (plus-15) of anyone on the court Monday. Rioux doubled his playing time with 11:20 of action in Game 2. He grabbed three defensive rebounds and scored two points, both on free throws. Rioux also got tagged for a personal foul and turnover, but maintained a positive efficiency rating of four. The 7-foot-9-inch redshirt freshman runs the floor surprisingly well for his size, but Rioux is still learning to control his body on the court. The foul he was called for came on an errant elbow during a rare moment of possession. He's so much bigger than everyone that a careless spin can easily turn into a flagrant foul, especially with most guards and wings standing about eye level with his elbows. Rioux boxes out well, but he's not too aggressive or explosive on either side of the glass. Still, He's an obvious presence down low that opposing teams have to plan around. Quick guards will be able to create space and loft a high-arcing shot over Rioux, though. His free-throw shot is pretty for a big man. Rioux and Team Canada face fellow Group B undefeated Germany on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. ET. The two 2-0 teams are among the five undefeated remaining in pool play. Mathematically, only four can exist at the conclusion of the group stage. Round of 16 games are scheduled for Wednesday, and the rest of bracket play continues on Friday through the weekend. 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.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Donald Trump dwarfed by 7-foot-9 college basketball player Olivier Rioux in the Oval Office
President Donald Trump marveled at Florida 's 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux on Wednesday as the Florida Gators visited the White House to celebrate their national championship. Rioux towered over Trump as they met in the Oval Office, with the President taking note of the 19-year-old's incredible height. To be that tall, I think it's great,' Trump said. As seen in a video from White House communications advisor Margo Martin, the pair then shook hands before they posed for a photo. Trump also asked if Rioux - who did not play in the Gators' national championship game win over Houston - was a good player, before someone off-camera said he was 'getting there.' The president then said of Rioux's height: 'Boy what a big advantage, huh?' President @realDonaldTrump meets Olivier Rioux, 7-foot-9 Florida Gators basketball player! 🏀🇺🇸 — Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 21, 2025 Rioux, who is also listed at 305 pounds on the Gators' roster, did not see the court this season as he took a redshirt season. The Quebec native supposedly stood at a massive 6-foot-1 by age eight, and 6-foot-11 by sixth grade. He watched from the bench on April 7 as Florida eked out a 65-63 win over Houston. Trump has welcomed a bevvy of sports champions since his return to office in January. The Super Bowl champion Eagles visited on April 28, with the Ohio State Buckeyes football team visiting a couple weeks prior on April 14. The Dodgers also visited earlier that month on April 7, with Trump even bestowing a gift to Shohei Ohtani. Trump has also invited the Chiefs to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win in 2020, as they were unable to visit him due to the Covid pandemic.
