We all know that our man Shaq is one of the most larger-than-life figures in NBA history and in sports. In the NBA, he towered over defenders who tried – mostly in complete vain – to stop his dominant play. Still, as the cliche goes, there’s always a bigger fish in the sea. Recently, Shaq met that bigger fish, and it was hilarious.
Thanks to a hilarious skit featuring Shaq and Florida Gators freshman Olivier Rioux, the internet is buzzing over a moment that left the 7’1” legend looking, well, up.
In the viral clip, Shaq is seen jokingly picking on someone smaller than him—until he turns around and comes face-to-chest with the towering Rioux. Shaq’s wide-eyed reaction to the 7’9” freshman phenom has viewers cracking up, and the chemistry between the two is pure comedy gold. Check out the great video clip below:
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The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
Olivier Rioux: The Giant from Quebec. As we said, Rioux is originally from Canada, but this college hoops season, he’s come way, way south to join the Florida Gators in Gainesville. Those Gators are currently putting together a very nice season. At 15-1 (2-1 in conference), the Gators are in 4th place in the SEC rankings. Rioux is red-shirting it this season. Can’t wait to see him prowling the court!
Rioux isn’t just tall—he’s Guinness World Record tall. In 2021, the Canadian native was officially crowned the Tallest Teenager in the World at 7’5”. Hailing from Terrebonne, Quebec, Olivier comes from a family of impressive stature. Both his parents are over six feet tall, and his brother Émile, at 6’9”, also shares the basketball gene.
By the age of 12, Rioux was already a towering 6’10”. His early height propelled him onto the international stage, playing for the French Phenoms in AAU tournaments and turning heads in recruitment circles. Before his collegiate career, Rioux sharpened his skills with powerhouse programs like Real Madrid and IMG Academy, solidifying his status as a rising star.
Now a freshman at the University of Florida, Rioux is sitting out this season as a redshirt to focus on development. While fans were eager to see him dominate the court, head coach Todd Golden emphasized that the decision is part of a long-term plan.
“We’re talking about redshirting him for this year,” Golden explained, addressing the growing clamor from fans to see Rioux in action. “It’s put him in a tough situation… but the plan is to develop him further and have him ready when the time is right.”
Though he hasn’t logged minutes yet, Rioux’s presence alone has created buzz in Gainesville. And with his rare combination of size, talent, and international experience, it’s only a matter of time before he’s making waves in college basketball.
For now, Rioux can count on one major fan: Shaquille O’Neal. Their viral encounter is a reminder of how even a legend like Shaq can be humbled by the next generation of giants.
With Shaq’s stamp of approval and a growing fan base, Olivier Rioux’s journey is one to watch. Whether it’s breaking records or meeting basketball icons, this 7’9” phenom is just getting started.