Olivier Rioux to Commit to Tennessee After Standout Official Visit
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Volunteers have landed a towering addition to their future basketball roster. Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9, 270-pound center from Canada, announced via social media that he will soon be committing to the University of Tennessee, shutting down his recruitment after a standout official visit to Knoxville.
“After a great official visit, I’m shutting down my recruitment and I’ll be committing to the Tennessee Vols,” Rioux posted on his account, sending waves of excitement through Vol Nation.
Rioux, who has captured national attention for his remarkable height and skill, praised the program and expressed his dreams of becoming a future legend in Tennessee basketball history.
“I love Tennessee basketball and I wish to be among the superstars this university will talk about tomorrow as a legend,” he continued. “I’m committing soon.”
The Montreal native has been a highly sought-after prospect for several years, thanks to his rare combination of size, footwork, and improving offensive skill set. At 7-foot-9, Rioux is believed to be the tallest player to ever commit to a major college basketball program.
His official visit to Knoxville included meetings with Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes and the coaching staff, a tour of the facilities, and an inside look at the program’s storied history. According to sources close to the situation, Rioux felt an immediate connection with the Vols’ culture, players, and fans.
“The people here made me feel like family,” Rioux said. “Tennessee’s commitment to developing players and their tradition of success made my decision easy.”
Rioux’s addition is expected to make an immediate impact for the Vols. His presence in the paint gives Tennessee a formidable defensive anchor and a unique offensive weapon. Though still developing aspects of his game, his size alone creates matchup nightmares for opponents.
Tennessee has enjoyed strong recruiting success in recent years, but landing Rioux could be a program-defining moment. With his potential to dominate inside and change games defensively, many believe Rioux could become one of the most recognizable names in college basketball over the next few seasons.
Fans have already begun speculating about how Coach Barnes will integrate Rioux into the team’s system, and anticipation for his official commitment ceremony is sky-high.
As Rioux prepares to put pen to paper and officially become a Tennessee Volunteer, he does so with the ambition of leaving a lasting mark.
“I want to be remembered,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”
Stay tuned for official updates on Rioux’s commitment ceremony and future at Tennessee.