You’ve seen the photos of Victor Wembanyama making 7-foot NBA centers look like middle schoolers. It’s a surreal sight. But then you see Olivier Rioux next to Wemby—or at least, you see the data and the rare footage of the two in the same basketball stratosphere—and your brain starts to glitch.
Wemby is 7 feet, 4 inches tall. He is a marvel.
Olivier Rioux? He is 7 feet, 9 inches.
That is a five-inch difference. To put that in perspective, that is the same height gap between a standard point guard and a power forward. When Rioux stands near a rim, he doesn’t really need to jump. He just... reaches. Honestly, the first time you see him on a college court for the Florida Gators, it feels like a glitch in a video game where the scale slider was dragged too far to the right.
The Tale of the Tape: Olivier Rioux Next to Wemby
Measurements in basketball are usually a bit "generous." Coaches love to add an inch to a recruit's profile to scare off opponents. But with these two, the numbers are certified. Victor Wembanyama officially measured in at 7'4" (without shoes) for the NBA. Olivier Rioux, meanwhile, holds a Guinness World Record.
He was already 7'5" as a teenager. By the time he arrived at the University of Florida for the 2024-25 season, he had hit the 7'9" mark.
| Feature | Victor Wembanyama | Olivier Rioux |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 7'4" | 7'9" |
| Weight | ~235 lbs | ~305 lbs |
| Wingspan | 8'0" | ~8'0" |
| Standing Reach | 9'7" | ~10'3" |
The standing reach is the part that truly haunts opposing coaches. The rim is 10 feet high. If Rioux is standing flat-footed, his fingertips are already above the iron. Basically, he’s playing a different sport. While Wemby uses his 8-foot wingspan to glide and block shots from the three-point line, Rioux is more like a permanent weather system stationed in the paint.
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Why the "Small" Wemby Comparison is Actually Fair
It sounds ridiculous to call a 7'4" human "small." But in the context of Olivier Rioux next to Wemby, the physical profile is night and day. Wemby is built like a gazelle. He’s fluid, he’s fast, and he has the handles of a shooting guard. He’s the "Extraterrestrial" for a reason.
Rioux is a different kind of big. At 305 pounds, he has nearly 70 pounds on Wembanyama. He’s a mountain. While Wemby is out there hitting step-back threes, Rioux’s game is currently rooted in the traditional "big man" mold—rebounding, clogging lanes, and finishing at the cup without his feet leaving the hardwood.
Can Rioux Actually Move Like Victor?
This is the big question everyone asks. Height is a gift, but it can also be a cage. We’ve seen guys like Tacko Fall or Boban Marjanović struggle with the sheer speed of the modern NBA.
Wembanyama is a freak because he defies the physics of his size. He can move laterally. He can sprint the floor.
Olivier Rioux is surprisingly coordinated for someone whose head is nearly hitting the rafters, but he isn't Wemby. Nobody is. Rioux’s path is more about being a "static talent"—someone who dominates by simply existing in the right spot. At IMG Academy and now at Florida, the focus has been on his footwork. If he can become even 50% as mobile as Victor, the NBA won't know what to do with him.
The Genetic Lottery
Why are they this tall?
Wemby comes from an athletic family in France. His dad was a long jumper; his mom played basketball.
Rioux’s story is similar but dialed up. He’s from Terrebonne, Quebec. His dad is 6'8". His mom is 6'2". Even his older brother is 6'9".
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But 7'9"? That's something else. Doctors told his parents he’d probably top out at 6'5". He blew past that in the fifth grade. He was 5'2" as a ten-year-old. Think about that. Most ten-year-olds are still trying to figure out how to tie their shoes without falling over, and Olivier was already the height of a grown man.
The Reality of Seeing Them on the Same Court
We haven't seen a formal NBA matchup yet. Rioux is still navigating the NCAA landscape with the Gators. But the hype for an eventual pro meeting is real. Imagine a jump ball between the two.
In a world where Wembanyama is the gold standard for "positionless" basketball, Rioux represents the return of the "True Giant."
There are challenges, though.
- The Pace: Modern basketball is fast. Very fast.
- The Knees: Carrying 300+ pounds at nearly 8 feet tall puts a lot of stress on the joints.
- The Skill Gap: Victor spent years playing against pros in France. Rioux is still refining his post-up game and his "touch" around the rim.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Height Comparison
People think height is an automatic "win" button. It's not.
When you see Olivier Rioux next to Wemby, the first thing you notice is the height, but the second thing you should notice is the frame. Rioux is wide. He has a massive chest and heavy shoulders. Where Wemby might get pushed around by a physical center like Nikola Jokic, Rioux has the natural bulk to hold his ground.
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He’s not just a tall guy; he’s a big guy. There's a difference.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Rivalry
If you’re a basketball nerd, you need to keep your eyes on a few specific things over the next 12 to 24 months:
- Watch the Florida Gators' usage: See how many minutes Rioux gets. At 7'9", he likely won't play 35 minutes a game. He'll be a "burst" player.
- Track his mobility: Don't look at the points. Look at how he moves back on defense (transition). If he can beat guards down the floor, his draft stock will skyrocket.
- The Wingspan Factor: Rumors suggest Rioux’s wingspan might actually be growing. If he hits an 8'2" or 8'3" reach, he will break the records currently held by Manute Bol.
Whether Rioux becomes an NBA superstar like Wembanyama or a specialized rim protector, the visual of him standing next to the "tallest" players in the league is going to remain one of the most jarring images in sports history.
Nature just doesn't make people this big very often. When it does, and they can actually play ball? You watch. Every single second.
Keep an eye on the SEC box scores this season. That's where you'll see if the 7'9" experiment is ready for the bright lights of the NBA.
Next Steps for Fans:
Follow the Florida Gators Men's Basketball social media accounts for practice clips. Most of the best "scale" photos of Rioux come from behind-the-scenes footage rather than just the games. Pay close attention to his free-throw shooting; for giants, that's often the first indicator of whether they have the "touch" necessary to survive in a pro league.