GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Walking from his apartment to classes and then to the University of Florida basketball facility, Olivier Rioux poses for dozens, sometimes hundreds, of photographs a day.

Vertical shots, of course. Rioux won’t fit into the frame any other way.

At 7 feet 9 inches, Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. He’s actually the biggest man on campus, on any campus.

The Florida freshman, a happy-go-lucky Canadian who owns a spot in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s tallest teenager, will also make basketball history when he plays for the 21st-ranked Gators this season. The cheerful kid known as “Oli” will become the tallest to play college basketball, replacing UNC Asheville’s 7-foot-7 Kenny George (2006-08).

He is 2 inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and 3 inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.

“Every day they ask you questions,” said Rioux, who likes to draw in his free time. “You don’t have three seconds to yourself when you’re outside, which was fine with me because my brother and dad are tall. And, as a family, we went out. “That’s how things were and that can’t be changed because people are curious.”

His university classmates have already gotten used to it.

“It’s really strange to look up to someone,” said 7-foot-1 center Micah Handlogten. “But being around him almost every day, it’s different when you’re out in public with him. People usually ask me, ‘You’re so tall.’ Do you play basketball? Nobody says a word to me (now). Everyone just looks at him. It’s a little crazy. “He doesn’t shy away from it.”

Rioux really embraces it. Thank you for the looks, the questions and all the requests.

“Being Canadian helps,” he joked. “You just get used to it. Talking to people is nice because they are curious and that cannot be changed.”

Rioux has worked hard to prepare for Division I basketball, but no one expects him to be a star at this level, certainly not right away. The Gators expect Rioux to be a fan favorite, starting with their season opener against USF on Monday night. Coach Todd Golden predicts it will be like nothing he’s ever experienced, with chants for Rioux at the end of games.

“We can see that one coming from a mile away,” Golden said. “About 95% of my conversations with random people about our team are about him. It’s the first time we’ve been ranked since 2019 and it’s like, ‘Hey, coach, we’re really excited to see Oli this year.’ And I get it, man. “He is a very unique individual.”

Rioux grew up in Terrebonne, Quebec, and realized from an early age that he was different. He was taller than most of his teachers in elementary school, crossing the 6-foot mark at age 8 and surpassing 7 feet the summer before seventh grade.

His mom is 6-2, his dad is 6-8, and his older brother is 6-9.

“At my mom’s house, we had the wall (where) my brother and I used to measure ourselves. And then one day, poof, my brother was gone,” Rioux said, remembering the day his entire family “officially” outgrew him.

In Canada, Rioux has a number of custom-made items to make life more comfortable, especially your bed. However, on campus it barely fits diagonally on a queen-size mattress.

He has to duck to get close to all the doors and often bumps his head. He wears a size 20 shoe, gets most of his wardrobe from gear, and can’t bring himself to ride a scooter because “I don’t trust myself.” And getting into a classroom desk is more comical than a point guard trying to box him.

He started playing basketball at age 5 and ended up at IMG Academy in Sarasota, about three hours south of Gainesville, to attend high school. He had offers from UC Irvine and Morehead State, but ended up at Florida as a preferred backup.

He is one of six international players on Golden’s roster and a clear project despite having played in several FIBA ​​events with the Canadian team, including the 2024 FIBA ​​AmeriCup U18 and the 2023 U19 World Cup.

“The best thing we have in mind is that we think he has the potential to play at some point,” Golden said. “He’s more than a 7-9 guy. “He’s had some really good times in practice, he’s super coachable and I’m excited for him to get to this point next year and see where we are.”

Rioux has come a long way in just a few months. His mobility and coordination have improved (he can wrap his leg around his head) along with his conditioning. Golden still wants him to use his 305-pound frame to become “more of an ass-kicker” in the low post.

“He has flashes in practice where he makes some plays and you’re like, ‘Wow,'” Golden said. “Obviously, we can’t do that with anyone else.”

Rioux can dunk without getting off his feet and has a nearly unstoppable hook shot. He wears number 32 because of his affection for Pro Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal, a fellow 7-footer.

He would like to model his game on former Purdue center Zach Edey (7-4) and French superstar Victor Wembanyama (7-3), who is currently considered the gold standard for 7-footers.

“Oh my God,” Rioux gushed.

Most people have the same reaction when they see Rioux for the first time. He stands out above his teammates and classmates, and almost all the photographs taken of him go viral.

“He doesn’t seek attention, but he also doesn’t get upset with people asking him to,” says Handlogten. “He accepts it because it is part of him and he loves that. If someone comes up and asks for pictures, he says, “Yes, of course.” And he always has that bright smile on his face. “It’s amazing.”

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