Kentucky Basketball Takes a Look at the World’s Tallest Teenager

The Class of 2024 will be an interesting one for Kentucky. Already known to be one of the weaker classes in recent memory, the Wildcats have only prioritized select targets in the class and will likely look at the transfer portal and reclassifications to fill out the roster.

However, that does not mean the staff isn’t still looking for talent within the 2024 class. In fact, Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman decided to take a trip to Memphis for the NCAA College Basketball Academies and took an interest in a certain player who has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Olivier Rioux is his name, a 7-foot-6, 200-pound 2024 prospect from Canada playing for IMG Academy (FL). Kentucky was in to watch Rioux but it is unknown at this moment the amount of interest Kentucky has in the World Record Holder for being the tallest teenager.

Rioux is an insane rim runner for his size, grabbing rebounds on both sides and being a consistent rim protector, blocking shots at the rim. While listed as only a three-star prospect, the Canadian shows a lot of potential.

The big man played for Canada’s U19 team this past season but only amounted 31 total minutes over five games, averaging 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds a game. While this isn’t something to raise eyebrows about, Rioux connected on 7 of his 8 shots making it a very efficient summer on the offensive side of the ball.

While those stats don’t jump off the chart, Kentucky sees something in the rising Senior or they wouldn’t have sent 2 top assistants to watch him play. It will be interesting to see how the recruitment of Rioux progresses over the next year and see whether or not Kentucky will give some more interest to the kid.

While Rioux would be more of a project player like John Calipari called Ugo Onyenso before the start of last season, it’s always good to trust Cal with these types of players because he is always able to make something out of them.