Some people are tall. Some people are very tall. And then there’s Olivier Rioux. At 7’9″ (2.36 m), this Canadian teenager stands over virtually every human being on the planet. Here’s the full story of the young giant from Québec who is quietly rewriting the record books on his way to the NBA.
Who Is Olivier Rioux?
Olivier Rioux was born on February 2, 2006, in Anjou, Québec, Canada — and from day one, it was clear he wasn’t going to be average. He comes from a family where being tall is simply the norm:
| Family Member | Height |
|---|---|
| Father (Jean-François Rioux) | 6’8″ (2.03 m) |
| Mother | 6’0″ (1.83 m) |
| Older Brother | 6’9″ (2.05 m) |
| Olivier | 7’9″ (2.36 m) |
Growing up in a tall family meant the Rioux household had already been adapted for life at altitude with higher table clearances, above-average ceiling heights, and all the necessary furniture that actually fits. The one thing they never got around to changing? The door frames. A decision that, according to Olivier, has cost him more than a few painful reminders over the years.
How Tall Is Olivier Rioux?
The numbers are almost hard to process.
Olivier was officially measured at 2.34 m by the Canadian basketball federation and 2.31 m by FIBA. The Guinness World Records named him the tallest teenager in the world yet that didn’t stop him from growing, now standing at a verified 2.36 m (7’9″).
To put that in perspective, here’s how Olivier compares to some of the most famous tall athletes at the same age:
| Athlete | Height at Age 13 |
|---|---|
| Shaquille O’Neal | 5’11” (1.80 m) |
| Yao Ming | 6’6″ (1.98 m) |
| Olivier Rioux | 7’3″ (2.20 m) |
At birth, he was a perfectly normal 19.7 inches (50 cm) and 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg). One month later he already weighed 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg). By age 12 he stood 6’10” (2.08 m). By 13, 7’3″ (2.20 m). The growth simply never stopped.
Today, Olivier wears a US size 20.5 shoe. Finding footwear that fits is exactly as difficult as you’d imagine. (Looking for large-size shoes? Wetall’s got you covered.)
Olivier Rioux from Canada is the world’s tallest teenager.
He measures 226.9 cm (7 ft and 5.33 in) and is a future basketball star 🏀 pic.twitter.com/3dHcREugZC
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) February 18, 2022
Does Olivier Play Basketball?
Of course he does. But the story behind how he got there is more touching than you might expect.
Olivier started playing basketball at age 5 in Anjou, Québec. His parents encouraged the sport but because he needed to burn off energy and have fun like any other kid. Height came later. The love of the game came first.
By 13, he was already competing against 14 and 15-year-olds at Collège St-Jean-Vianney on the Dragons team. It quickly became clear that the Canadian system, as good as it was, couldn’t fully develop a talent this unique.
So Olivier made a decision that most teenagers would find unthinkable: he left home.
From Québec to Florida: The Road to the NBA
At 15, Olivier committed to IMG Academy in Florida, a big deal as one of the most prestigious athletic prep programs in the world, with alumni including Serena Williams and Tiger Woods. The move meant leaving his family, his friends, and everything familiar behind. Yet Olivier was clear-eyed about what it required:
“Being far from my family is hard sometimes, but I’m ready to make the sacrifices and put in the work I need to reach my dream and play in the NBA.”
In 2025, he took his next step: joining the Florida Gators, a Division I college basketball program. He chose to enter as a redshirt, meaning he can train and develop fully with the team for a year without playing in official games, but will then be eligible to compete across the four following seasons. It’s a smart, patient move from a young man who clearly has his priorities right.
In 2021, he represented Canada at the Americas U18 tournament, giving international scouts their first real look at what he could do on a competitive stage.
Could Olivier Rioux Become the Tallest NBA Player in History?
Here’s where things get truly remarkable.
The tallest players in NBA history are Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, both measured at 7’7″ (2.31 m). Olivier Rioux, at 7’9″, is already taller than both of them.
If he continues developing and makes it to the NBA, he would become the tallest player in the history of the league. He’s already taller than every single active player in the NBA today.
The question was never whether Olivier Rioux would be tall enough for the NBA. The question is whether the NBA is ready for him.
A Giant With a Dream and the Work Ethic to Match
What makes Olivier’s story genuinely compelling isn’t just the numbers. It’s the quiet determination behind them. He left home as a teenager, enrolled in one of the most demanding athletic programs in the world, chose the patient path of a redshirt over the quick path of immediate playing time, and has never once suggested that his height alone entitles him to anything.
He knows the work comes first. The records will follow.
Here are some videos of Oliver Rioux to get to know him even better:
Here are some Instagram posts as well:
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