BREAKING: 7-Foot-6 Canadian Basketball Giant Olivier Rioux Shocks NCAA — Flips to Duke Blasts “Stalled Growth” at Florida in Social Post……………….
BREAKING: 7-Foot-6 Canadian Basketball Giant Olivier Rioux Shocks NCAA — Flips to Duke Blasts “Stalled Growth” at Florida in Social Post……………….
April 21, 2025 | Byline: SportsWire Exclusive
Durham, NC — In what may be the most unexpected — and most talked-about — commitment switch of the 2025 recruiting season, Olivier Rioux, the towering 7-foot-6 center from Quebec, has officially decommitted from the University of Florida and committed to the Duke Blue Devils.
The move wasn’t just a flip — it was a statement. And the basketball world is still trying to process it.
Rioux didn’t hold back in his lengthy, emotional social media post, where he laid out five no-holds-barred reasons for walking away from Florida just months after giving his verbal commitment.
His message? Growth is more than physical. It’s personal, it’s mental, and it needs the right soil.
The Tallest Prospect in Basketball History… But Far From a Gimmick
Olivier Rioux first went viral as a teenager, dunking without jumping at age 13. At 7-foot-6 and still growing, his height alone has made him a magnet for headlines, cameras, and memes. But here’s the truth: Olivier isn’t just tall — he’s good. He’s evolving. And he wants the world to see more than just the frame.
After spending key developmental years at IMG Academy in Florida — where elite prospects train under NBA-level conditions — Rioux made waves in the FIBA U16 and U19 competitions with Team Canada. He didn’t just hold his own. He produced.
Florida took notice and secured his commitment in late 2023. But something wasn’t right behind the scenes. And in April 2025, Rioux said it plainly: “I outgrew it.”
The Five Reasons That Burned the Bridge with Florida
In a move that instantly lit up the basketball world, Rioux dropped a five-point breakdown on why he’s done with Florida and ready to call Duke home. Here’s what he said — and what it means.
1. “I Was Being Shelved, Not Shaped.”
Rioux called out Florida’s redshirt plan directly: “They wanted me to sit. I wanted to play. They saw me as a body. I see myself as a player.”
Sources close to the situation say Rioux felt like a long-term experiment, not an immediate asset. That didn’t sit well with a prospect who’s been competing against international talent since age 14.
2. “Duke Sees Me. Not Just My Height.”
At Duke, he says, the coaching staff didn’t treat him like a novelty. They laid out a path: strength training, footwork coaching, defensive system work — and minutes. Real minutes. “Coach Scheyer sees a role for me in year one. Not in year three,” Rioux wrote.
3. “Culture Over Comfort.”
Rioux didn’t sugarcoat it: “Florida was convenient. Duke is challenging. And I want to be challenged.”
The subtle jab at the Gators’ program cuts deep — insiders say Duke’s relentless pace, pressure to perform, and expectation of excellence were exactly what Rioux craved.
4. “Built for Bigs.”
Duke has a history of producing elite post players, from Elton Brand to Zion Williamson. But this was about more than legacy — it was about logistics. “Duke has custom resources for players like me — physiotherapy, body mechanics labs, recovery science. Florida didn’t.”
Translation: Duke invests in the details. And for a 7-foot-6 prospect, those details mean everything.
5. “I’m Not a Project. I’m a Problem.”
Mic drop. That line from Rioux’s post exploded online. Shared by players, analysts, even NBA scouts.
It’s the kind of bold confidence that tells you this isn’t just about a school change — it’s about a mindset shift. Rioux is betting on himself. And he wants everyone watching to know: he’s ready.
Duke’s Big Win. Florida’s Big Loss.
Duke fans are ecstatic — and rightly so. The program now has a unicorn on its hands. While his height draws attention, it’s Rioux’s improved lateral quickness, shot-blocking instincts, and soft hands around the rim that have scouts talking.
Scheyer is reportedly designing a hybrid defensive scheme to maximize Rioux’s length and rim protection, paired with perimeter-heavy offensive spacing to let him operate in the paint.
Meanwhile, Florida is reeling. Losing a viral prospect is one thing. Losing a motivated, developing difference-maker — who’s clearly upset with your program’s plan — is something else entirely.
There are now serious questions around Florida’s handling of high-ceiling, non-traditional prospects. A source close to Rioux told SportsWire: “They wanted him to wait. He’s done waiting.”
What Happens Next?
Rioux will officially join Duke’s summer program in July. He’ll undergo full physical assessments, skill tests, and immediately begin training with the Blue Devils’ strength team. The plan? Ready him for a contributing role by opening night.
And you can bet the hype will follow him. From packed Cameron Indoor Stadium crowds to ESPN cameras itching to capture his first block or dunk, Rioux is entering the spotlight with more than just attention — he’s coming with expectation.
—
The Final Word
Olivier Rioux has rewritten the narrative. Once seen as a basketball curiosity, he’s now making calculated, confident moves with purpose. And if he delivers on even half of the promise he’s shown, Duke might have just pulled off one of the boldest recruiting wins of the decade.
The tallest teenager in basketball is done being a headline. He’s ready to become a legacy.
