Gators’ 7-foot-9 Rioux Makes Historic College Basketball Debut
Florida’s Olivier Rioux, standing at 7-foot-9, made his highly anticipated debut against North Florida, becoming the tallest player in college basketball history. The game, held in Gainesville, ended with the Gators' commanding 104-64 victory.
Historic Moment at the O’Connell Center
With UF leading 102-61 and just over two minutes left, Coach Todd Golden brought Rioux onto the court. The crowd of 10,065 erupted in cheers, chanting “Oli, Oli, Oli” for the fan-favorite who had yet to play since arriving in the summer of 2024.
“It felt great,” said the 19-year-old Canadian. “The support from everybody was amazing. Even on the bench and even with the fans. I’m very grateful.”
Record-Breaking Height on the Court
- Rioux’s height of 7-foot-9 surpasses the previous college record held by Kenny George, who stood 7-foot-7 and played at UNC Asheville from 2006 to 2008.
- He is also two inches taller than the tallest NBA players ever, Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan, both 7-foot-7.
- Rioux stands three inches taller than former NBA players Yao Ming, Shawn Bradley, and Tacko Fall, who were each 7-foot-6.
- He exceeds the height of Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-5 star of the San Antonio Spurs, by four inches.
Although Rioux did not score or record a rebound, his debut was met with enthusiastic applause, marking a significant moment in college basketball history.
Summary
Olivier Rioux's debut as the tallest player ever in college basketball was celebrated passionately, highlighting his unique stature and the excitement surrounding his arrival on the court.