7-Foot-9 Olivier Rioux Becomes Tallest Player in College Basketball History
Olivier Rioux, a 19-year-old freshman from Canada, made history as the tallest player to ever participate in college basketball during his debut in Florida’s 104-64 victory over North Florida.
Historic Debut at Florida
Florida coach Todd Golden responded to crowd demands during halftime to put 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux into the game. With 2:09 remaining, Golden finally subbed Rioux in, sparking chants of “We Want Ollie” at the O’Connell Center.
Despite significant attention from defenders, Rioux did not touch the ball during the game but received tremendous support from teammates and fans.
“The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and from the fans. I think everybody supported me. I’m very grateful.”
On making history, Rioux said,
“It’s another day, I guess.”
Reactions and Comparisons
Rioux’s towering presence brought smiles among players and fans alike. North Florida forward Trey Cady, standing over a foot shorter, joked comparing their heights.
Coach Golden recalled the halftime chants urging him to play Rioux:
“There were people yelling at me at halftime about playing him. I’m like, ‘Listen, it will happen. The time will come.’”
Standing Among Giants
- Rioux stands 2 inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol.
- He is also 3 inches taller than Yao Ming, Tacko Fall, and Shawn Bradley.
- Before joining Florida in 2024, he was already listed in the Guinness World Records.
Olivier Rioux’s debut marks a unique milestone in college basketball history.
Author’s summary: Olivier Rioux’s historic debut as the tallest college basketball player highlights his remarkable stature and the excitement it brought to fans and teammates alike.