236cm Teenager Becomes Tallest-Ever US College Basketball Player
Olivier Rioux made history and stirred excitement as he debuted for Florida, becoming the tallest player ever to appear in US college basketball. The Canadian athlete, standing at 236 centimeters, drew an enthusiastic standing ovation when entering with two minutes left in Florida’s win over North Florida.
Historic Debut
At 19, Rioux surpassed former NBA giants Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol by five centimeters, setting a remarkable record at the collegiate level. Florida’s head coach Todd Golden eventually gave in to halftime calls from fans urging him to play the towering center. With 2:09 remaining, chants of “We Want Ollie” filled the O’Connell Center as Rioux stepped onto the court, cementing his place in history during Florida’s 104–64 victory.
Fan Support and Reaction
Rioux, a redshirt freshman and recognized as the world’s tallest teenager, drew massive attention from both teammates and opponents. Despite not touching the ball, his presence captivated the crowd.
“The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I'm very grateful.”
When questioned about his record-setting moment, Rioux replied with modest humor:
“It's another day, I guess.”
Even North Florida forward Trey Cady couldn’t help but grin as he stood next to Rioux, conceding over a foot in height difference.
Author’s Summary
Olivier Rioux’s brief debut for Florida stunned fans and set a new milestone in college basketball, marking him as the tallest player ever to compete at this level.