Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux Makes College Basketball Debut
Florida Gators fans finally witnessed the college debut of Olivier Rioux, the tallest player in college basketball at 7-foot-9. He stepped onto the court with about two minutes left in Thursday night's game.
Although the moment was somewhat anticlimactic in a dominant 40-point victory over North Florida, it marked an important milestone for Rioux's college career and the Gators' season.
Game Context and Fan Reaction
Rioux's brief appearance did not lead to any recorded stats in his two minutes of play. Instead, he served as a celebratory figure in a crucial win for Florida. The Gators had started their season with a tough loss to No. 13 Arizona, so facing the in-state Ospreys provided a welcome opportunity to rebound.
Gator fans went WILD for Olivier Rioux checking into the game 🐊 (via @SECNetwork)
The defending national champions scored 52 points in each half, securing a commanding 104-64 victory.
Background on Olivier Rioux
Rioux was already on campus last year, serving as a redshirt during Florida's national championship season. He became known for ceremoniously cutting down a piece of the net from the ground after the title win.
This debut signals the start of Rioux's active participation on the team going forward.
Author's Summary
Olivier Rioux’s college basketball debut marks a key moment for the towering freshman, as Florida builds on its championship legacy with fresh talent emerging.