In Gainesville, Florida, the world’s tallest teenager, Olivier Rioux, is making headlines as he redshirts at the University of Florida. Standing at an impressive 7 feet 9 inches, Rioux has captured the attention of basketball fans worldwide. However, despite the excitement surrounding his potential, Florida coach Todd Golden announced that Rioux will be redshirting this season.
Redshirting means that Rioux will not be playing in any official games this season, allowing him to preserve a year of college eligibility. This decision was made to give him more time to practice with his teammates and further develop his skills. By redshirting, Rioux will still be considered a freshman next fall, giving him more time to adjust to the college basketball environment.
Coach Golden explained that the decision to redshirt Rioux was made after discussions with the player, his family, and other important figures in his life. Despite the chants from Florida students and the excitement surrounding Rioux’s potential, the coaching staff believes that this is the best course of action for his development.
During a recent game against Grambling State, fans chanted for Rioux to enter the game, but Coach Golden chose to keep him on the bench to stick to the redshirt plan. Golden reassured Rioux that this decision was made in his best interest, to avoid wasting a year of eligibility on a brief appearance in a game.
Despite the initial disappointment of not being able to play this season, Rioux has shown maturity and understanding in accepting the redshirt decision. Coach Golden praised Rioux for his positive attitude and willingness to follow the guidance of those around him.
As Rioux continues to train and practice with the team, fans can look forward to seeing him in action next season. The coaching staff is confident that this redshirt year will benefit Rioux in the long run, allowing him to fully prepare for his college basketball career.
In the meantime, Florida basketball fans can support Rioux as he works hard behind the scenes to improve his skills and contribute to the team in the future. With his towering height and potential on the court, Rioux is sure to make a significant impact when he finally takes the court for the University of Florida.
