UPDATE: In a thrilling moment for college basketball, the Florida Gators witnessed history as Olivier Rioux, a towering 7-foot-9 center, made his debut on July 15, 2025, becoming the tallest player ever to play in NCAA basketball. Rioux stepped onto the court during the Gators’ decisive 104-64 victory against North Florida at the O’Connell Center.
The atmosphere was electric as fans chanted, “We Want Ollie!” urging Gators coach Todd Golden to bring Rioux into the game. He finally relented with just 2:09 left on the clock, allowing Rioux to bask in the spotlight of his historic moment.
Rioux, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Canada, has already made headlines as the world’s tallest teenager. Despite not touching the ball during his brief appearance, his presence alone captivated the audience. “It felt great,” Rioux said, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and teammates.
Golden, who had been receiving requests for Rioux’s playtime throughout the game, remarked, “There’s people yelling at me at halftime about playing him. I’m like, ‘Listen, it will happen. The time will come.'” His moment finally came, and the fans erupted into applause, matching the excitement of Florida unveiling its championship banner earlier in the evening.
Rioux now holds the title of being even taller than former NBA giants like Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, surpassing them by 2 inches, and standing 3 inches taller than legends such as Yao Ming and Tacko Fall. He had previously gained a spot in the Guinness World Records when he signed with Florida in 2024.
Golden had initially planned for Rioux to take a redshirt season to develop his skills, but the 7-foot-9 center’s journey has been filled with viral moments—from riding his bike on campus to ducking under doorways. “He’s put in a lot of great work,” Golden praised. “To his credit, he’s kept a great attitude without getting a lot of reward in terms of playing time and opportunity.”
As Rioux made his way to the scorer’s table, teammates offered words of encouragement. Micah Handlogten told him, “Play with confidence. You’ve worked your butt off for two years now to get to this spot. Now’s your moment. This is your time to shine.” The sentiment resonated throughout the arena, where fans cheered every time the ball neared Rioux during his debut.
The Gators are expected to continue utilizing Rioux in future games, although Golden indicated that he would primarily play in blowouts. The excitement surrounding his debut has already created substantial buzz, with fans eager to see what this young giant will accomplish next on the court.
As the college basketball season progresses, all eyes will be on Olivier Rioux, whose remarkable height and hopeful spirit have already made a significant impact on the sport. Stay tuned for more updates on his journey as he takes on challenges in the NCAA.
