Can world's tallest teen contribute to Florida basketball as a walk on? What his IMG coach thinks.

As the world's tallest teen per the Guinness Book of World Records, 7-foot-7 center Olivier Rioux made headlines when he committed to play for Florida basketball as a preferred walk-on last November.

Rioux progressed this past season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, but according to IMG varsity national coach Sean McAloon, he still needs to work on facets of his game to see the floor consistently for the Florida Gators at the power conference level.

“Oli is still a ways from where he can be as a contributor on our level or even probably Florida’s level," McAloon said. "But he made up a significant amount of ground this year, just in all aspects, effort in practice, playing hard, rim running, defensively trying to find the happy medium between where is in drop coverage and then changing ends."

McAloon said Rioux, a Montreal, Canada, native, does have some strong aspects to his game.

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“He can alter around the rim," McAloon said. "I mean once you get in the paint, it’s a different world, we have a kid on our team that’s about 6-7, 6-8 when we go up against other people he goes up and he punches the ball at the rim and on Oli he has to think about it, and so do the guards.

"It actually helped us, especially our guards, helped them work on their paint game altogether, and how to finish, and how to mix up your finishes because he changes your thought process when you get in there."

McAloon said Rioux is a willing screener who can free up teammates.

"Screening wise, the kid screens out the sun," McAloon said. "He's a load to get over and and under. Those are two things that are elite for him. Obviously if he’s around the rim he’s going to finish. He’s still got to work on his touch, his jump hook, and his overall lower body strength but those are the two things right now where I think he can help change a game.”

Could Olivier Rioux contribute to Florida basketball as a freshman?

There is intense curiosity regarding Rioux based on his size (he has 94.8 thousand followers on Instagram). UC-Irvine offered Rioux a scholarship, and Florida Atlantic and Stetson also made offers for him to join their teams. 247Sports lists Rioux as a three-star recruit.

McAloon said Florida basketball assistant coach Carlin Hartman kept tabs on Rioux throughout the season.

“They know what it is," McAloon said. "A preferred walk on, probably someone who could turn into a scholarship guy just on him improving some of the things that are going to help like elongate his running, he’s 7-7, he’s got a size 20 shoe, it’s a lot to pick up and put down, but those are the main things I think they are going to try to focus on, and then just his overall strength, you know, getting him to the point where, he can move people around the basket on a consistent basis."

Florida is currently recruiting to transfer to re-stock its frontcourt depth after losing starting forward Tyrese Samuel to eligibility. The status of another frontcourt starter, 7-1 center Micah Handlogten, is in doubt after he suffered a compound fracture of his lower leg in March. Handlogten may have to sit out next season on a medical redshirt, depending on how his rehab progresses.

McAloon said Rioux remains interested in going to Florida despite other scholarship offers.

"I think he likes their plan for him, in order to get better and be a consistent contributor," McAloon said.

McAloon said Rioux, listed at 300 pounds, improved in playing more physical this season. He's coachable and a good teammate.

“Guys like him," McAloon said. "He’s got a voice almost like Chewy from Star Wars, so the guys like to needle him a little bit with that. But he takes it well."