Florida basketball walk-on center Olivier Rioux will likely redshirt in 2024-25 as UF wants to use the year to develop the 7-9 center in practice

The anticipation surrounding the upcoming season for the Florida Gators' 7-foot-9 prospect Oliver Rioux is on hold for next year. Florida basketball 's head coach, Todd Golden, says the plan is for Rioux to redshirt the upcoming season and make his historic debut in 2025-26, according to 247 Sports' Graham Hall.

Florida’s height advantage in the frontcourt is also notable, with 6-foot-10 center Rueben Chinyelu and 6-foot-11 rising star Alex Condon leading the charge. They also have a 7-foot-9 freshman, Olivier Rioux, the Guinness World Record holder for the tallest teenager.

The world’s tallest teenager might have to wait a year to become the world’s tallest college basketball player

Florida basketball head coach Todd Golden said Thursday that Olivier Rioux, a seven-foot-nine freshman from Terrebonne, Que., who owns a spot in the Guinness record book, is planning to redshirt.