A video of his shared by MARCA when he was 13 wowed NBA superstars Steph Curry and Joel Embiid back in 2019. Now, Olivier Rioux is 16-years old and has signed for the presitigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The goal? To take on the challenge of developing his still growing frame into a potential NBA talent.
At 16 years-old and 7ft 6 inches, Olivier Rioux is already larger than the NBA's tallest active player: Tacko Fall (7'5).
Taller than many adults when he was in Kindergarten
Rioux is from east Montreal and a proud Québécois . He will begin the 10th at IMG Academy, a school that counts legendary tennis sisters Serena and Venus Williams among its alumni.
Olivier was 5'2 in kindergarten. His dad Jean-Francois is 6'8, and his mom (Anne) is 62.
Curious bystanders are one of the challenges Rioux faces
Joey Mckitterick, who has coached Rioux ever since he was 12, explains that part of the challenge has been getting curious onlookers to leave Rioux alone when they are in public. The coach explains it is tough even to get to flights sometimes because of people asking to take pictures with Olivier, or even to hold their baby.
Rioux's basketball development is promising
As for basketball, Rioux is developing a healthy love for the game. He is also developing into a strong prospect, despite the challenges his immense height can bring: "When you see Olivier, every three to six months he's doing things quicker, faster, stronger, more balanced, he's got more agility. This is important, because usually taller players are a little bit slower (to develop), and he's moving at the right rate in terms of a super tall player".
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