"Did he just miss an uncontested 0-footer??": 7'9 Florida player Olivier Rioux sends fans into a tailspin with a baffling training video
Bleacher Report and BR Hoops posted an Instagram video on Thursday (Dec. 6) of Olivier Rioux warming up before a game. The 7'9 Florida Gator was seen stretching and completing some routine layup training, but fans were quick to point out that Rioux started his warm-up with a plain miss.
Considering he doesn't have to jump to touch the rim of the hoop, it's quite understandable that fans went crazy over a missed uncontested layup.
"I KNOW GOODNHELLWELL HE DIDN'T MISS THAT 1ST LAYUP 😤" one fan commented.
"i only noticed the missed layup 🤦🏽♂️" another wrote.
"Did... did he just MISS an uncontested 0-footer?????" another commented.
"Not him missing the first layup lol" was another fan's response.
"he missed the first 💀💀" another wrote.
Other fans were purely amazed at Rioux's height and how close he was to the basket without jumping.
"That's how most of us look with our mini hoops at home damn lol" one fan commented.
"Bro looking down at wemby (Wembenyama)" another wrote.
"🤯🤯🤯 this insane" another commented.
You can follow the conversation about Olivier Rioux in the original post below.
Olivier Rioux is the tallest living teenager, per the Guinness World Records
Florida Gators fans may have to wait until next season to see Olivier Rioux, the freshman center and tallest player in college basketball at 7'9, make his on-court debut.
Rioux is slated to redshirt in his first year at Florida, according to head coach Todd Golden. While he hasn’t logged any minutes, his presence at games has already created a buzz.
Golden addressed the redshirt decision after a recent game where fans chanted for Rioux, affectionately known as "Oli," to enter during a blowout victory.
“Honestly, it’s put him (Olivier Rioux) in a tough spot,” Golden told ESPN. “He’s sitting there at the end of games, and everyone’s yelling for him to go in. They didn’t realise that this is part of the plan we’ve been considering for him.”
Golden clarified that while the redshirt plan isn’t set in stone, it’s the direction they’re leaning for Rioux’s development. “That’s where we are at the moment,” Golden explained. “It’s not 100% finalised, and we’ll keep talking with him to see if he feels differently. But for now, that’s the approach we’re taking.”
According to Golden, Rioux has embraced the plan, with support from his family and former coaches who agree it’s the best path for his long-term growth.
With a bright future ahead, Rioux's patience and dedication suggest his eventual debut will be worth the wait.