Olivier Rioux hears the comments when he walks into a gym. The catcalls and snide comments.
"The people that yell for no reason [frustrate me]," Rioux said. "Of course I'm tall and all that, but that's no reason to yell. I mean, it is kind of funny, but it's kind of frustrating when they do it."
Being the Guinness World Record holder for the world's tallest teenager would make anyone an easy target. The organization bestowed the Quebec native that honor in December 2020 when he was a smidge over7-foot-5.
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Now at IMG Academy, the 7-foot-7 senior (he's listed at 7-6 but says he's an inch taller) is trying to leave his mark on the basketball court with a national boys basketball powerhouse packed with power-5 talent and one of the most competitive schedules in the country.
"It's very nice [at IMG]," said Rioux, 17. "Obviously, there's ups and downs like everyone else, but I feel like everyone enjoys themselves. But I've been far from home since I was 12. So I'm used to this, there's not much to say. Christmas is coming soon and I'm looking forward to going home, but that's why I'm here, I'm learning basketball."
When he walks into a room, everyone notices. And when he gets on the court, everyone pays attention. He’s regularly making waves online when he has a dominant outing, but those performances have been sparse in recent months.
Expectantly, Rioux is still learning how to play at a high level with so much mass to move up and down the floor. His minutes are very limited for the Ascenders, and he struggles to be the force in the paint that his size may dictate.
It could be easy to get frustrated in Rioux's position. He’s on a competitive roster, battling for minutes against some of the highest-rated players in the country while still learning how to use his body effectively on a big stage.
But still, there is a lot to be excited about in Rioux as a player. He verbally committed to Florida coach Todd Golden in November.Rioux has the physical tools to be a transcendent talent. He and IMG head coach Sean McAloon say the path upward is rooted in the mental side of the game just as much as the physical side.
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"He's a great kid, he works hard," McAloon said. "This is the first chance for him to be in this type of environment. He's thriving, he's getting better, and hopefully, down the road we can find some meaningful time to get out there and show what he can do."
McAloon has faced similar situations at IMG. 7-foot-4 Purdue star and likely lottery pick Zach Edey grew under McAloon’s tutelage. McAloon says the learning curve is steeper for players of that size, and that Rioux is taking advantage of his opportunities in Bradenton. He expects more of the same in Gainesville.
"It's a steep learning curve for anyone that's at least 6-foot-10 or 7-foot, and he's 7-foot-7," McAloon said. "What he's learned is the motor with which he needs to play with. And once he gets super comfortable with his body, I think it'll be there down the road. He's a little further behind Edey... Olivier is not as angry as Zach is, but he's getting there. He's being challenged every day."
A big part of that growth is blocking out the buzz surrounding Rioux. Some players embrace their online presence, but Rioux knows that won’t make him a better basketball player.
So he limits his time on social media, and focuses on making his presence felt where it matters most: on the court.
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"I don't even control my Instagram," Rioux said. "I look at it sometimes, but other times I won't even open it. I just don't want to. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that it doesn't add anything, and I don't want to see it."
His timetable is different from ‘normal’ recruits, and it’s important to keep that in consideration when evaluating his talent.
Rioux's game has room to grow. What matters most is how he approaches the opportunities he does get. He’s described as a good teammate, humble, hard, working, and has the resources anyone could ask for. The hope is in time, he’ll be an exciting player that is difficult to gameplan for.
But for now, all we can do is wait.
"[In Gainesville] I expect to grow as a person," Rioux said. "I'm expecting myself to be able to get in the gym, get up shots, and be able to vocalize myself better."
