World’s Tallest Teen, 7-foot-9 Heart Olivier Rioux, Tries Soccer at Florida

The world’s tallest teenager is attempting his hand — his attain, actually — at soccer.

Florida basketball participant Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 heart who performed for the Underneath-19 Canadian nationwide workforce this summer season, not too long ago labored out for the Gators’ soccer workforce.

Rioux donned an orange helmet and took snaps on particular groups, with Florida assistant coaches hoping his huge wingspan is perhaps a distinction maker on the subject of blocking discipline targets and further factors.

“I like the concept,” Gators basketball coach Todd Golden mentioned throughout a booster occasion Thursday night. “I give them credit score for attempting it.”

There was one subject: The 305-pound Rioux has an 11-inch vertical, so even together with his extra-long attain, he was unable to dam any kicks throughout the exercise.

“They had been just a little upset,” Golden mentioned.

No worries. Rioux can merely stick with his full-time gig with the hoops workforce.

After redshirting as a real freshman final season, he is anticipated to get on the courtroom in a restricted capability this fall. He is unlikely to play a lot contemplating the defending nationwide champions return their complete frontcourt, however he ought to at the very least get on the courtroom in rubbish time.

Golden has already thought of utilizing him to protect inbound passes, one thing Rioux did to perfection simply earlier than halftime in opposition to the US within the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland earlier this month. Rioux pressured an errant go that led to a turnover and a 3-pointer simply earlier than halftime.

Rioux’s uncommon peak landed him within the Guinness World Data a number of years in the past, and he has turn into a strolling viral video at Florida. Whereas coaches and teammates climbed a ladder to chop items of the nets after the Gators received the SEC Event, Rioux was in a position to do it whereas standing flat-footed.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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