GAINESVILLE, Fla. The worlds tallest teenager might have to wait a year to become the worlds tallest college basketball player.
Florida coach Todd Golden said that Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 freshman who owns a spot in the Guinness record book, is planning to redshirt. Had the popular Canadian played in even one game, he would have burned one of his four seasons of college eligibility.
Instead, Rioux will spend the 2024-25 season practicing with teammates and honing his skills and still be a freshman next fall.
I should have made that clear (before), Golden said. Honestly, its put him in a tough situation. Hes sitting over there at the end of games and everybodys yelling at him and trying to get him out there. They just hadnt understood that that was our potential plan for him.
So thats where were at at this moment. Im not saying thats 100% going to be the plan. Well continue to talk to him and see if he changes what he wants to do. But as of right now, thats the plan that were going to have with him as we move forward.
Florida students chanted for Oli in both of the teams home games this season. Golden emptied the bench in the final minutes of an 86-62 victory over Grambling State and even said a few words to Rioux during the chaotic scene.
I was just explaining to him, Hey, the reason why Im not putting you in right now is what weve talked about a little bit, Golden said. This wasnt a choice that I made for him. This is something that people (from) our program have talked with him and his family and his parents, his AAU coach and just kind of trying to figure out what the best route for him is.
I just went up to him and I was like, Hey, Im not trying to be disrespectful with you. Im just not trying to burn your year putting you in for 30 seconds.
Rioux handled the decision well, Golden said.
Hes a great kid, and hes a pleaser, Golden said. He wants to do what others think is best for him. And hes coachable. Again, if this is what our staff, his parents, the people around him that care about him, think is best, I think hes going to be comfortable. Ultimately, its his decision. But I think thats where hell land.