Gators’ 7-foot-9 Rioux Makes Historic College Basketball Debut
Florida’s Olivier Rioux, standing 7-foot-9, made his much-anticipated debut against North Florida, becoming the tallest player in college basketball history. The 19-year-old Canadian joined the game on Thursday night, thrilling fans and setting a new height record.
Memorable Debut at O’Connell Center
With the Gators leading 104-64, a lively crowd of 10,065 chanted “Oli, Oli, Oli,” celebrating their new fan favorite. Coach Todd Golden called Rioux onto the court with just over two minutes left, coinciding with the unveiling of the 2025 championship banner.
“It felt great,” Rioux said. “The support from everybody was amazing. Even on the bench and even with the fans. I’m very grateful.”
Historic Height Record
- Rioux surpassed Kenny George, who stood 7-foot-7 and played at UNC Asheville from 2006-08.
- He is 2 inches taller than the tallest NBA players ever, Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan (both 7-foot-7).
- He stands 3 inches taller than former NBA centers Yao Ming, Shawn Bradley, and Tacko Fall (7-foot-6).
- Rioux is also 4 inches taller than San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who is 7-foot-5.
Although Rioux did not score or collect any rebounds in the game, his presence was historic and celebrated by fans and teammates alike.
Summary: Olivier Rioux’s debut not only marked a personal milestone but also set a new height standard in college basketball, captivating fans and making a lasting impact.