Florida's Olivier Rioux Becomes Tallest Division I Basketball Player
Florida center Olivier Rioux, standing 7'9", made history Thursday as the tallest player to appear in a Division I college basketball game. The redshirt freshman played the final 2:09 of Florida's 104-64 home victory over North Florida.
Game Performance and Background
Rioux did not record any statistics during his brief time on the court, reflecting the limited opportunity in just over two minutes of play. Originally from Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, he played high school basketball at IMG Academy in Florida.
Recruitment and Early Career
Ranked as a 3-star prospect in the 2024 class, Rioux had offers from Florida Atlantic and Stetson before committing to Florida in November. He also holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest teenager.
International Play
Rioux has represented Canada in several international competitions, including the 2024 U18 FIBA AmeriCup, where Canada finished third.
Team Status and Upcoming Match
With Rioux joining three other Gators, Florida holds a 1-1 record after a 93-87 loss to No. 13 Arizona Wildcats to start the season. They aim to surpass a .500 record on Tuesday when they host in-state rival Florida State.
"Rioux, a redshirt freshman, played the final 2:09 of Florida's 104-64 home win over North Florida."
"Canada took third place at the event."
Olivier Rioux's debut marks a unique milestone, blending his exceptional height with a promising basketball trajectory.