WELCOME TO INDIANA PACERS BASKETBALL: Nation’s No. 1 Player, 7-Foot-9 OLIVIER RIOUX, Shocks College Basketball World as He Flips Commitment to Pacers Over Powerhouses Like Duke, NC State, and Alabama
In what may go down as one of the most jaw-dropping recruiting twists in modern basketball history, Olivier Rioux, the No. 1 ranked player in the nation and the tallest prospect ever seen in the sport, has announced that he is bypassing college altogether to sign directly with the Indiana Pacers.
Rioux, who stands at a stunning 7-foot-9, has become a global sensation due to his size, skill, and grace on the court. Long linked with blue-blood college programs like Duke, NC State, and Alabama, the high school phenom stunned the basketball world by flipping his commitment and declaring for the professional ranks via the NBA’s new Next Star Pathway. Even more stunning: he will be doing so in Indiana Pacers colors.
Rioux’s Rise to the Top
Olivier Rioux has been on scouts’ radars for years, first making headlines at the age of 12 when he was already over seven feet tall. But it wasn’t just his size that caught attention—it was how he moved. Agile, intelligent, and surprisingly coordinated for his height, Rioux showcased a soft touch around the rim, elite shot-blocking instincts, and a growing jump shot.
By his senior year, he averaged a mind-bending 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 blocks per game, drawing comparisons to NBA legends like Yao Ming, Kristaps Porziņģis, and even Victor Wembanyama—though Rioux dwarfs all three.
Ranked as the consensus No. 1 overall high school player in America, the Montreal-born center had been considered a lock to commit to one of the NCAA’s elite programs. He had even taken official visits to Duke and Alabama in recent months.
A Game-Changer for Indiana
The Pacers, fresh off a playoff appearance and full of youthful promise behind stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin, have now taken their future to unprecedented heights—literally.
“Olivier is a generational talent,” said Pacers GM Chad Buchanan. “We believe he has the potential to change the way the game is played. His presence in the paint is unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”
The team confirmed that Rioux would be integrated into the rotation slowly but surely, likely starting with minutes in the Summer League before joining the full roster for the 2025–26 season. His unique size presents challenges—and opportunities—for the Pacers’ system.
According to inside sources, Indiana’s front office worked tirelessly to secure Rioux’s services under the NBA’s newly-expanded Next Star Pathway, a development track aimed at allowing elite talent to bypass college and begin their professional journey early. It mirrors international systems used in places like Australia and Europe.
Why the Flip?
Rioux’s decision to bypass college wasn’t just about the money—it was about development, mentorship, and legacy.
“Indiana showed me that they believe in me as a player, not just as a headline,” Rioux said at his surprise announcement press conference, flanked by his family and Pacers staff. “They have a plan for me. They want to help me be great, and they have the patience and structure I need.”
Rioux also noted the mentorship opportunity with Pacers big men like Myles Turner, and the influence of head coach Rick Carlisle, who has a track record of developing unconventional talent.
“It’s not about being a viral sensation anymore. It’s about becoming an NBA champion,” Rioux added.
Impact on the Game
Rioux’s leap to the NBA at just 18 has reignited debates about the NCAA’s place in developing elite talent. College powerhouses like Duke and Alabama, who had structured entire schemes around potentially landing the big man, were left stunned.
“This is a seismic shift,” said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. “We may be entering an era where top-tier players see the NBA’s Next Star route as not only viable, but preferable.”
Social media exploded after the announcement, with “OLIVIER RIOUX TO PACERS” trending worldwide. Basketball fans everywhere were in awe, with clips of Rioux dunking without jumping circulating rapidly.
The Future is Huge
As Rioux prepares to don the blue and gold of Indiana, expectations will be sky-high—literally and figuratively. But by all accounts, the young phenom is ready.
In a franchise hungry to return to championship contention, Olivier Rioux might just be the piece that redefines Pacers basketball—and the NBA itself. Fans in Indianapolis and across the world are about to witness something they’ve never seen before: basketball’s first 7-foot-9 superstar.
Welcome to the NBA, Olivier.
Welcome to Indiana Pacers Basketball.
