When the University of Florida’s basketball team, the Gators, opened their season on November 4, one player stood out. Although 18-year-old Olivier Rioux didn’t get a chance to participate in the game, it was his height that got people talking. At 7 feet, 9 inches (2.4 meters), Rioux is the world’s tallest teenager. He’s even been certified by Guinness World Records!

Rioux says that people have been asking him about his height ever since he arrived at the university a few months ago. But he doesn’t mind the curiosity; he’s used to it. Rioux, who grew up in Quebec, Canada, was tall from an early age. By the time he was in 5th grade, he was already more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall. When he was 15, he was 7 feet, 5 inches (2.3 meters). Both of his parents are over 6 feet tall.

“You get asked questions every day,” Rioux told the Associated Press. “You don’t have a single three seconds to yourself when you’re outside, which I was fine with because my brother and my dad are tall. And, as a family, we used to go out. That’s just how it was, and you can’t change that because people are curious.”

Being tall has its challenges. Rioux must duck to get through doorways, and it can be hard to find size 20 shoes. But on the basketball court, height is an advantage.

Rioux started playing basketball when he was 5. He later played in a few games with the Canadian national team. By the time Rioux was almost finished with high school, many college basketball teams were interested in having him play for them. He chose the University of Florida.

Gators coach Todd Golden isn’t ready to give Rioux a lot of playing time. Just before we posted this story, in fact, Golden announced that Rioux wouldn’t play at all this school year. In college basketball, a player can skip a year of games and start over the next year as a freshman (a first-year player). Rioux will spend this year improving his skills. 

But the coach says he sees signs of greatness. Rioux has an amazing hook shot and can dunk the ball without even jumping. 

“He has flashes in practice where he’ll make some plays and you’re like, ‘Whoa,’” Golden told the Associated Press. Plus, Golden says, Rioux is friendly, patient, and kind. He may be different, but he loves what makes him different.

“It feels great being the height I am,” Rioux once wrote for Guinness World Records. “I love it.”