Shaquille O’Neal Looked TINY Compared to 7ft9 College Basketball Player!

A towering 7-foot-9 college basketball player makes even NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal look small in a viral TikTok video, showcasing the extraordinary height of Florida Gators’ center Olivier Rioux.

At a Glance

  • Olivier Rioux, standing at 7-foot-9, is a center for the Florida Gators
  • Rioux appeared in a TikTok video with 7-foot-1 NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal
  • At age 15, Rioux held the Guinness World Record for the World’s Tallest Teenager
  • Rioux is redshirting his freshman year with the Gators
  • He comes from a tall family, with his father at 6’8″ and mother at 6’1″

A Towering Presence

In a social media moment that’s capturing attention across the sports world, Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 center for the Florida Gators, has made waves by standing next to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The stark contrast in their heights, even with Shaq’s imposing 7-foot-1 frame, has left fans astounded and amused.

Take a look – this is wild!

Rioux’s exceptional height is not a recent development. His growth trajectory has been remarkable since childhood, with records showing he stood at an impressive 6 feet, 1 inch by the age of 8. Before entering seventh grade, he had already reached the 7-foot mark, setting the stage for his current stature.

The young athlete’s extraordinary height earned him recognition from Guinness World Records. At the age of 15, Rioux was officially acknowledged as the World’s Tallest Teenager, measuring 7 feet, 5 inches. In the two years since, he has grown an additional four inches, further cementing his status as a basketball phenomenon.

But Shaq thought it was funny, too.

“Pick on someone your own size,” he said in the clip.

So what about this kid’s future? Well, despite the buzz surrounding his height and potential, Rioux has yet to play an official game for the Florida Gators. The decision to redshirt his freshman year is a strategic move, allowing him time to acclimate to collegiate-level competition and further develop his skills. This approach could prove beneficial for both Rioux and the Gators in the long run.

Rioux’s height is not solely a product of chance. He comes from a family of tall individuals, with his father standing at 6 feet, 8 inches, and his mother at 6 feet, 1 inch. This genetic background provides context for his extraordinary growth and suggests a natural predisposition to his towering stature.