March Madness is moving right along. The University of Florida Gators men’s team won a close, exciting game against UConn last Sunday, 77-75. In the Sweet 16 this week, the Gators will face the Maryland Terrapins. Should be a great game.
Watching along with the rest of us, our man Shaq, of course. One of the true “big men” to play the game, there (obviously) aren’t too many people who can make you feel small. But in a recent TikTok video, the Hall of Famer found himself face-to-chest with a basketball phenom who might just redefine the meaning of “giant” in the sport. Meet Gator rising star Olivier Rioux, the 19-year-old towering over the competition—and even Shaq himself.
Not many can look down on Shaq!
Interestingly, Rioux has yet to play a single minute of on-court action for the Gators this season. The 7-foot-9 freshman center has been redshirting for the 2024-25 season, focusing on developing his skills and physical conditioning. Florida’s head coach, Todd Golden, stated in November 2024 that the plan was for Rioux to redshirt, allowing him to practice and improve without participating in games.
Still, Rioux, a Canadian-born center, has been on a meteoric rise—literally. At just eight years old, he was already six feet tall. By middle school, he had surpassed the seven-foot mark, and at 16, he entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest teenager in the world, measuring in at 7-foot-5. Now, at age 19, reports suggest Rioux has reached a staggering height of 7-foot-9, making him by far the tallest active basketball player on the planet. If he makes it to the NBA, he would shatter the league’s height record, which currently belongs to Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol at 7-foot-7.
Shaq, a respectable 7-foot-1 himself, couldn’t resist having a little fun with the young giant. In a video captioned, “Pick on someone your own size,” O’Neal first squares up to a much smaller man in a playful confrontation. But when the man signals for him to turn around, Shaq is met with the jaw-dropping sight of Rioux towering over him. His exaggerated reaction—eyes wide, mouth agape—had fans cracking up, with many marveling at just how rare it is to see someone make Shaq look small.
R
Rioux with CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson
But Rioux is more than just a viral sensation—he’s a legitimate NBA prospect. The Florida Gators big man has drawn attention from scouts and analysts as he prepares to compete in March Madness, one of the biggest proving grounds for college athletes with professional aspirations. Despite his size advantage, making it to the NBA won’t just be about height—it’ll take skill, agility, and basketball IQ to compete at the highest level.
Rioux’s path to this moment has been nothing short of incredible. He previously trained with European powerhouse Real Madrid and has continued to develop his game under Gators head coach Todd Golden. While still considered a “long-term project,” Golden sees significant potential in Rioux’s growth.
“He’s way more athletic now than when he got here,” Golden said. “We always thought of Ollie as kind of a longer-term project, so to speak. He’s been incredibly coachable. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do from a practice standpoint. I still feel good about his opportunity and his potential to become a good player.”
While the NBA remains a dream for Rioux, his presence alone has already created a buzz in the basketball world. If he reaches the league, he would dwarf even the NBA’s current tallest player, San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, who stands at 7-foot-4. And as Shaq’s TikTok proved, Rioux isn’t just an internet curiosity—he’s a true force to be reckoned with.
Whether he’s dunking without jumping or swatting shots into the stands, one thing is certain—Rioux’s got the basketball world standing on its tiptoes to see what’s next. And if he ever makes it to the league? Well, Shaq might just have to update that TikTok with another surprised look.