The world’s tallest teenager becomes the tallest player in college basketball history

Florida coach Todd Golden made a bold move during Thursday night’s game against North Florida when he finally decided to put 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux in the game. Despite chants of “We Want Ollie” echoing through the O’Connell Center, Golden had initially hesitated to play Rioux until the final minutes of the game.

Rioux, the tallest person to ever play college basketball, made history with his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida. The 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Canada, known as the world’s tallest teenager, received overwhelming support from fans and teammates alike.

“It felt great,” Rioux said. “The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I’m very grateful.”

Standing at 7-foot-9, Rioux is 2 inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and 3 inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley. He had already secured a spot in the Guinness World Records book when he signed with Florida in 2024.

Golden had initially planned to only play Rioux in blowout games due to the team’s returning frontcourt players. However, Rioux’s determination and hard work during practices and games earned him a spot on the court against North Florida.

Fans erupted with cheers when Golden signaled for Rioux to enter the game, with teammates and coaches celebrating wildly. Although Rioux did not get a chance to touch the ball in his debut, the excitement and support from everyone involved made it a memorable moment.

Moving forward, Rioux’s presence on the team is sure to bring a new level of excitement and attention to Florida basketball games. His unique stature and positive attitude have already made him a fan favorite, and his journey in college basketball is just beginning.