Gainesville Has a New Perspective on College Basketball
Gainesville, Fla. is buzzing with excitement as basketball enthusiasts keep their eyes on Olivier Rioux, who just so happens to be the world’s tallest teenager at an eye-popping 7-foot-9. Everyone is eager to see this towering giant hit the college hardwood, but here’s the twist: he’s decided to redshirt during the 2024-25 season. That means he’ll be practicing alongside his teammates but won’t get to play in any games. Kind of a bummer, right?
The Redshirt Decision
Florida’s head coach, Todd Golden, is the one calling the shots here. He mentioned that Rioux’s choice to redshirt was in the works, but maybe that info didn’t get spread around as it should have. Fans in the stands have been chanting for “Oli” during games, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. After one home game, Coach Golden opened up about the situation.
He explained, “Honestly, it’s put him in a tough situation. He’s sitting over there at the end of games, and everybody’s yelling at him and trying to get him out there.” It’s clear the excitement surrounding Rioux is enormous, but they’ve got plans in place that go beyond a few moments of fame on the court.
The Plan Moving Forward
So, what’s the game plan for the tall freshman? Right now, it seems to be all about building skills and getting better for the next season. Coach Golden doesn’t want to risk burning one of the four seasons of eligibility just for a handful of minutes. Instead, he wants Rioux to spend this season getting used to the college game and working with the team.
“I just went up to him and I was like, ‘Hey, I’m not trying to be disrespectful with you. I’m just not trying to burn your year putting you in for 30 seconds,” Golden said. It sounds like the coach really wants what’s best for Rioux, even if it means delaying his debut.
Support from Teammates and Fans
Rioux seems to be taking it all in stride. According to Golden, he’s a great kid who really wants to please people and listen to the advice of those around him. It’s nice to see such a positive attitude, especially when the pressure is on. “If this is what our staff, his parents, the people around him that care about him, think is best, I think he’s going to be comfortable,” stated the coach.
A Unique Situation
The whole redshirt situation is definitely an unusual one, but it does bring a unique angle to college basketball this season. Rioux’s teammates and the Florida student fans seem to be all in on supporting him during this time. Even when the excitement of games is at its peak, they can be heard chanting his name, hoping for a glimpse of the towering talent.
Looking Ahead
As the season moves forward, fans will be watching closely to see how this story develops. While he won’t be taking to the court just yet, there’s a lot to look forward to.
In a year, when he steps back into the college basketball spotlight, he’ll not only still be a freshman but, if all goes according to plan, he could potentially become the world’s tallest college player. That’s definitely something basketball lovers everywhere will want to see!
Gainesville is holding its breath as they await Olivier Rioux’s debut, and it’ll be interesting to see how he continues to grow in both height and skill. Who knows? This may just be the start of something incredible!
