Olivier Rioux, finest often called the Montrealer large on the IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) basketball crew, is greater than a basketball participant — he takes pleasure within the arts, raving about summary aquarelle. He’s taken with biology and astronomy, saying he completely believes aliens are actual, for “if we’re the one beings alive, it’s scarier.”
It’s becoming as a result of Rioux is among the many new wave of basketball gamers who’ve by no means been seen earlier than.
Standing at 7-foot-7.5 inches and 295 kilos, the College of Florida basketball commit stands taller than Chet Holmgren, taller than Bol Bol, taller than Victor Wembanyama — all who’re altering how the basketball world sees gamers who’re that tall.
(USA TODAY Community)
“(Wembanyama) is rising basketball for us, for the tall guys,” Rioux mentioned. “I’ve seen him practice and know a few of his coaching and know a few of the work he does. I prefer it. He owns it.”
Listed at 7-foot-4, Wembanyama undergoes coaching that has helped to alleviate bodily stress that usually plagues gamers of this stature. His mobility is excellent, and he seems fluid on the court docket the best way few gamers of his dimension do.
“He can do the splits. I don’t know when you perceive how large that’s, for a giant man, however doing the splits for us could be very onerous,” Rioux mentioned.
The highschool senior ices his physique, does blood movement drills that primarily require him to put along with his again on the bottom and legs up in opposition to the wall, and does some yoga.
Rioux spent two days final yr with former Chicago Bulls middle and longtime crew radio colour commentator Invoice Wennington. The 7-footer who spent 15 years taking part in skilled basketball, 13 within the NBA, gave Rioux recommendation in regards to the sport and well being whereas the 2 performed ping pong, confronted off in chess, and examined the French data of Wennington, one other Canadian.
Following within the footsteps of men like Wennington has lengthy been Rioux’s ambition. He began taking part in basketball critically on the age of 8, by which level he was already standing 6-foot-1. By the sixth grade, he was 6-foot-11, after which, over the summer time earlier than seventh grade, he crossed the 7-foot mark. For that, he has made his basketball profession working within the publish beneath the steering of Pascal Jobin, who has coached at Cégep Édouard Montpetit and McGill College.
(USA TODAY Community)
Rioux’s offensive sport options lots of dribble-handoffs and setting screens. He mentioned he is aware of learn how to move the ball effectively and has good timing when deciding when to shoot, however he’s nonetheless gaining consolation taking pictures from additional out. He is aware of that being tall isn’t sufficient within the NBA; profitable careers for gamers of this stature have been centered round top, energy, mobility, and flexibility.
Whereas Dirk Nowitzki ushered within the period of huge males who might shoot, he additionally was a precursor of common managers scouting for bigs who might create offense away from the paint. Giannis Antetokounmpo, at 6-foot-11, led the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship as a result of he is usually a major ballhandler and create for himself and his teammates. Nikola Jokic has melded the roles of middle and level guard higher than every other participant in historical past and rode that ability to a title.
Bol remains to be within the league largely as a result of his guard-like talents are so tantalizing for an athlete who stands 7-foot-3. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder traded as much as draft 7-foot Aleksej Pokusevki as a result of he was somebody who moved fluidly, dribbled and handed effectively, and will shoot. Wembanyama can dominate on the rim, however he’s additionally cell, can create off the dribble, and is comfy operating performs on the high of the arc past setting a display.
Even in the case of blocking photographs, which Rioux is predictably adept at, he vouches for the significance of being cell.
“It’s extra mobility and size that helps you,” he mentioned. “It’s each.”
Within the U-16 FIBA video games, he averaged 8.3 factors and 10.3 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per sport. This summer time, on the age of 17, he performed for the Canadian U-19 crew. He noticed restricted taking part in time—three minutes of motion in three of the 5 video games he performed—however recorded a complete of seven rebounds in these three matchups. Within the remaining sport, 12 minutes in opposition to Japan, he recorded 10 factors and 5 rebounds.
At IMG, he’s engaged on his sport whereas splitting time between the IMG Varsity Blue roster and this system’s nationwide crew. Rioux was with the nationwide crew through the Metropolis of Palms Basic over the weekend earlier than Christmas, getting three minutes of motion in opposition to Richmond Heights. He’ll continue to grow — perhaps actually, as his said top of 7-foot-7.5 within the interview with USA TODAY Excessive Faculty Sports activities was taller than the assorted heights listed round completely different retailers — earlier than heading to Florida, the place he dedicated in early November.
Rioux was drawn to the atmosphere of the campus and other people on the college. He’s not sure what he plans to review — with an curiosity in physics, biology, and artwork, who’s to say?
“It’s a great atmosphere and individuals are very good. I felt like I would slot in that program and the individuals are very mature,” Rioux mentioned. “I felt like I might get taught lots of stuff.”