7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux Towers Over Viral Buff Florida Fan

The tallest player in college basketball history shows just how large of a human being he is.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:19am

Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux, who stands at 7-foot-9, posed for a photo with a viral buff Florida fan, making the muscular fan look tiny in comparison. Rioux, who holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest teen, has always been an imposing figure, growing to 6-foot-1 by age 8 and 7-feet tall by seventh grade. Despite limited playing time, Rioux has become a social media sensation, with his massive size shocking opponents and fans alike.

Why it matters

Rioux's incredible size and height have made him a viral sensation, highlighting the extremes of human physical variation and the sheer scale of his stature compared to even the largest of average-sized people. His story showcases the remarkable diversity of the human form and the fascination people have with individuals who defy typical physical norms.

The details

Rioux, a 19-year-old freshman center for the Florida Gators, stands 7-foot-9, making him the tallest player in college basketball history. Even NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, who is 7-foot-1, was dwarfed when standing next to Rioux. Despite his massive size, Rioux has limited playing time, averaging just 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. However, he went viral for easily dunking the ball in Florida's NCAA Tournament opening round win over Prairie View A&M, barely having to jump to reach the rim.

  • Rioux was 6-foot-1 at age 8.
  • Rioux was 6-foot-11 by sixth grade.
  • Rioux hit 7-feet tall by the start of seventh grade.
  • Rioux posed for a photo with a viral buff Florida fan in March 2026.
  • Rioux dunked the ball in Florida's NCAA Tournament opening round win on March 20, 2026.

The players

Olivier Rioux

A 19-year-old center for the Florida Gators who stands 7-foot-9, making him the tallest player in college basketball history. Rioux holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest teen.

Shaquille O'Neal

An NBA legend who is 7-foot-1, but was dwarfed when standing next to the 7-foot-9 Rioux.

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The takeaway

Rioux's incredible size and height have made him a viral sensation, showcasing the remarkable diversity of the human form and the fascination people have with individuals who defy typical physical norms. Despite his limited playing time, Rioux's massive stature has captured the public's imagination and highlighted the extremes of human physical variation.