Meet Olivier Rioux, the Guinness World Record holder for the tallest teenager on the planet. The first time he made waves, it wasn’t just because of his skills—it was because a 6’10” 12-year-old was casually dunking on kids who still needed step stools to reach their kitchen shelves. The video went viral, and just like that, Rioux became the basketball world’s favorite anomaly. Even Steph Curry could not help but comment, “So many questions”.

But Rioux isn’t just some genetic marvel. He’s a high-IQ player with a team-first mentality, a kid who left home at 15 to train at IMG Academy in Florida, and an athlete who knows what is good for his game. While most internet searches about him focus on his height, those who know him best see much more than just that—they see a future basketball star in the making. So, who is Olivier Rioux beyond the numbers?

What is Olivier Rioux’s ethnicity?

Olivier Rioux is of French-Canadian ethnicity. Olivier’s remarkable height can be attributed to his family’s genetics. His father, Jean-François Rioux, is 6 feet 8 inches tall and has a background in volleyball. His mother, Anne Gariépy, stands at 6 feet 2 inches. His older brother, Émile, is 6 feet 9 inches tall and has also played basketball. But the current game scenarios need little more than just height and Olivier has showcased his capabilities winning two bronze medals for the Canada U-16 and U-19 sides at the FIBA competitions.

In one of the recent games, Olivier cut the basketball net without a ladder. The clip went viral, once again pinpointing the ‘unique’ attribute. But if anyone questions Olivier at his height, the teenager doesn’t mind and sees the funny side of it. “Of course I’m tall and all that,” Rioux told the Naples Daily News. “But that’s no reason to yell. I mean, it is a kind of funny, but it’s kind of frustrating when they do it.”

What is Olivier Rioux’s nationality? Where was he born?

Olivier is Canadian. He was born on February 2, 2006, in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada. Growing up in Canada, most kids dream of becoming the next Wayne Gretzky, but Rioux had other plans. While his friends were obsessing over hockey sticks, he was grabbing the rim without jumping.

He played for Real Madrid and Brookwood Elite prior to eventually moving to IMG Academy in Florida, a powerhouse for developing young athletes. Now, he’s committed to playing college ball for the Florida Gators in the Southeast Conference. Redshirted for his freshman 2024-25 season, Rioux is all set as a fan favorite and the tallest player in college basketball history once he makes his debut in the 2025-26 season.

What religion does Olivier Rioux follow?

When it comes to Olivier Rioux’s religion, there’s no public information available about his personal beliefs. He hasn’t spoken about any particular faith. However, when asked about his favorite holiday, the 19 year old talks about Christmas. The reason? The star sees the family together, celebrating with presents and shared meals.