World's tallest teen looks to grow NIL earnings

GAINESVILLE, Florida — Olivier Rioux pokes his head out the front door of Florida's practice facility — the 7-foot-9 (2.36 m) center has to duck, of course — and delivers a tidbit.

"Alberta reached out about doing a TikTok," he says.

Blank stares.

"Alberta, the mascot," he adds.

Ahh.

Rioux, the world's tallest teenager, is one of top-seeded Florida's most popular players heading into the NCAA Tournament — even though he has yet to take the court. Photos. Videos. Autographs. Interviews. The attention is immense. The requests are global.

The 19-year-old Rioux handles them all as effortlessly as he touches a 10-foot rim, and without anything in return. But, the Canadian, whose unusual height landed him a Guinness World Record, is hoping to start earning money from use of his name, image and likeness (NIL) in the United States.

Rioux has formally applied for an 0-1 visa, which is reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities or achievements in the fields of science, art, education, business or athletics.

There's precedent for it in the NCAA, which provides limited opportunities for international students to capitalize on NIL while attending college in the US. Former Northwestern State and current Austin Peay guard Hansel Enmanuel of the Dominican Republic was granted that type of visa in 2022.

Enmanuel's left arm was amputated just below the shoulder after an accident when he was 6; he is considered one of the most inspirational college basketball players, because he helps countless kids dealing with physical limitations find hope.