WATCH — This teen is almost 8 feet tall and about to make basketball history

Quebec teen to play for Florida Gators

Imagine what it’s like to be seven feet nine inches tall, or 2.36 metres.

Your forehead may be bruised from running into door frames.

Even sitting comfortably at your desk in class may be a bit of a struggle.

When it comes to Canadian basketball player Olivier Rioux, being that tall means breaking records.

The 18-year-old is from Terrebonne, Quebec, but goes to school and plays basketball at the University of Florida.

When he plays with the Florida Gators this season, he will make history as the tallest person to play college basketball.

University of Florida’s men’s basketball season begins Nov. 4 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Watch the video below to learn more about how tall Rioux is ⬇️⬇️⬇️

When he was 15, Rioux also set the Guinness World Record for the world’s tallest teenager.

Back then, in 2021, he measured seven feet five inches. 

Rioux said he’s used to people being curious about his height.

When he walks to class or the basketball facility, he gets asked for photos from people passing by.

“It feels great being the height I am. I love it,” Rioux told Guinness World Records when he was 16. 

“This is what nature planned for me. I learned to be peaceful and happy about it.”

Olivier Rioux, left, poses with a Florida Gators fan. Rioux measures seven feet nine inches tall. That’s two inches taller than the tallest NBA player ever, Gheorghe Muresan, who is seven feet seven inches tall. (Image credit: ashlyn_framppp/Instagram)

But is height all it takes to be a basketball star?

Rioux still has work to do, said his coach.

“[Rioux] does have great potential and he does have very good tools, but it’s going to take time for them to all come together,” coach Todd Golden told Florida Gators writer Chris Harry.

According to Harry’s article on the Gators website, Rioux is working with coaches to improve his basketball skills.

“They are emphasizing cardio, which isn’t the best for me right now,” said Rioux. 

How might Rioux improve throughout his college career? Basketball fans will have to wait and see.

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With files from The Associated Press