June 29th, 2024

Is 7ft 9in teenager Olivier Rioux too tall for basketball?

Olivier Rioux, an 18-year-old 7ft 9in high schooler, signs with the University of Florida basketball team. Despite challenges adapting to modern basketball, Rioux aims to prove his skills and secure a scholarship, navigating expectations with his exceptional height.

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Is 7ft 9in teenager Olivier Rioux too tall for basketball?

Olivier Rioux, an 18-year-old high schooler standing at 7ft 9in, has recently signed to play basketball for the University of Florida. Known for his exceptional height, Rioux's rapid growth has garnered attention, with comparisons to NBA giants like Yao Ming and Gheorghe Mureșan. Despite his towering stature, Rioux faces challenges adapting to the modern basketball game, which now emphasizes agility and skill over sheer height. His journey from dominating youth leagues to potentially making it to the NBA involves proving his playing abilities, as statistics from his Under-18 team show room for improvement. Starting as a preferred walk-on at Florida, Rioux aims to secure a scholarship by earning a spot on the team. With his family's tall genes and unique background, Rioux's potential in basketball remains uncertain but intriguing, as he navigates the expectations set by his extraordinary height and works towards making a mark in the sport.

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By @tocs3 - 5 months
I am a Spurs fan and will be interested in how another tall player, Victor Wembanyama, will do. Olivier Rioux has a year or two before the NBA but I worry a little about the really tall players health. It is a little painful to even watch Boban Marjanović run up and down the floor.
By @paulryanrogers - 5 months
Perhaps gigantism combined with already tall genes?

Regardless, I hope he cares for his health. Even NBA money cannot repay decades of post-career years in pain.

By @sombragris - 5 months
Another headline with Imperial measurements. For the non-US world, the height in SI units is 2.36 meters.