GAINESVILLE – Olivier Rue poses for dozens, sometimes hundreds, of photos a day as he walks from his apartment to class and to the University of Florida’s basketball facility.
Of course, vertical shots too. Rieux wouldn’t fit into the frame any other way.
At 7 feet 9 inches, Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. He’s actually the biggest guy on campus. At any campus.
The Florida freshman, a bubbly Canadian who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest teenager, will make basketball history this season by playing for the 21st-ranked Gators. The jovial man known as “Oli” will become the tallest college hoops player, replacing UNC Asheville’s 7-foot-7 Kenny George (2006-08).
He is two inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and three inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall, and Sean Bradley.
John Rau/AP
“I get questions every day,” said Rieux, who likes to paint in his spare time. “When I’m outside, I don’t have three seconds to myself. My brother and father are both tall, so I was fine with it. And we went out a lot as a family. That’s just how it was. People… You can’t change that because you’re curious.”
His college teammates are already used to it.
“It’s really weird to look up to someone,” said 7-foot-1 center Mika Handrogten. “But even though I’m around him almost every day, it’s different when we go out in public together. People always ask me, ‘You’re so tall. Do you play basketball?'” (Now) a) No one tells me anything. He’s kind of crazy. ”
Rieux actually embraces it. He welcomes glances, questions, and any requests.
“Being Canadian certainly helps,” he joked. “You just get used to it. People are curious and it’s fun to talk to people. You can’t change that.”
Rieux has worked hard to prepare for Division I basketball, but no one expects him to become a star at this level, and certainly not right away. The Gators expect Rieux to become a fan favorite starting with Monday night’s season opener against USF. Coach Todd Golden expects it to be a game unlike any he has ever experienced, with chants for Rieux coming out at the end of the game.
“You can see that from a mile away,” Golden said. “About 95% of the conversations I have with random people about our team are about him. This is the first time since 2019 that we’ve ranked, but it’s like, ‘Hey, coach, I’m really looking forward to seeing Oli this year. ‘And I understand that he’s a very unique person.’
Rieux grew up in Terrebonne, Quebec, and knew from an early age that he was different. He was taller than most of his teachers in elementary school, surpassing the 6-foot standard by the age of 8, and over 7 feet the summer before seventh grade.
His mom is 6 to 2 years old, his dad is 6 to 8 years old, and his brother is 6 to 9 years old.
“At Mee Maw’s house, there was a wall where my brother and I would often measure ourselves. Then, one day, my brother disappeared,” Liu said, adding that she had “officially” taken over the whole family. He spoke while remembering the day he passed.
Back home in Canada, Rieux has a number of custom-made items to make his life more comfortable, most notably his bed. But on campus, it barely fits diagonally across a queen-sized mattress.
He has to duck to pass near any doorways and often hits his head. He wears size 20 shoes, gets most of his wardrobe from team gear, and doesn’t dare ride a scooter because he’s “not confident in himself.” And shoving him into a classroom desk is more ridiculous than a point guard trying to box him out.
He started playing basketball at age 5 and attended high school at IMG Academy in Sarasota, about three hours south of Gainesville. He had offers from the University of California, Irvine and Morehead State University, but ultimately went to the University of Florida as an unsuccessful candidate.
He is one of six international players on Golden’s roster and has participated in several FIBA events with the Canadian national team, including the 2024 U18 FIBA America Cup and the 2023 U19 World Cup. Despite appearing in the competition, it is a clear project.
“The great thing in our minds is that we think he has the potential to play someday,” Golden said. “He’s more than just a 7-9 guy. He’s had some really good moments in practice and is very coachable and we’re excited to get this far next year and see where we are.” I’m excited.”
Rieux has made progress in just a few months. His mobility and coordination have improved and he is now able to wrap his legs around his head along with conditioning. Golden still hopes to use his 305-pound frame to become “more of a butt-kicker” in the low post.
“He shows flashes in practice and makes some plays there and you’re like, ‘Whoa,'” Golden said. “Of course I can’t do that with anyone else.”
Rieux can dunk without taking his feet off and has a hook shot that is nearly unstoppable. He wears the number 32 because of his love for Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and fellow 7-footer Shaquille O’Neal.
He plans to model himself after former Purdue center Zach Eady (7-4) and French superstar Victor Wembaneyama (7-3), who is currently considered the gold standard for 7-footers. I want to pattern the matches.
“Oh my god,” exclaimed Rieux.
Most people have the same reaction when they see Rieux for the first time. He towers over his teammates and classmates, and almost every photo taken of him goes viral.
“He doesn’t seek attention, but he also doesn’t get irritated by people who do,” Handlogten said. “He embraces it, because it’s part of him. He loves it. When someone comes up and asks for a picture, he’s like, ‘Of course.'” And always upbeat. It’s great to see you smiling. ”
