Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest teenager standing at an astonishing 7 feet 9 inches, made history by becoming the tallest person ever to play college basketball during the University of Florida’s dominant 104-64 victory over North Florida. The 19-year-old Canadian redshirt freshman finally got his moment on the court after much anticipation from fans and teammates alike, who had been eager to see the towering center in action.
The game took place at Florida’s O’Connell Center, where chants of “We Want Ollie” erupted at halftime, urging head coach Todd Golden to get Rioux into the game. Despite initial hesitation, Golden relented with just over two minutes left in the game, allowing Rioux to make his debut and etch his name in college basketball history. The crowd’s excitement was palpable as Rioux, a player who had become something of a viral sensation for his extraordinary height and gentle demeanor, stepped onto the court.
Although Rioux only played for two minutes and did not touch the ball during his brief appearance, the moment was significant for him and everyone in attendance. “It felt great,” Rioux said after the game. “The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I’m very grateful.” When asked about making history, Rioux remained modest, jokingly responding, “It’s another day, I guess.”
Rioux’s presence on the court was impossible to ignore, even to the opposing team. North Florida forward Trey Cady couldn’t help but smirk as he compared his own height to Rioux’s, realizing he was giving up more than a foot in the matchup. Coach Golden shared that there had been vocal requests from fans for Rioux to get playing time much earlier in the game, but he maintained a patient approach. “There’s people yelling at me at halftime about playing him,” Golden said. “I’m like, ‘Listen, it will happen. The time will come.’”
Standing two inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and three inches taller than other well-known big men like Yao Ming, Tacko Fall, and Shawn Bradley, Rioux already held a Guinness World Record before even stepping onto the college court. When he signed with Florida in 2024, his unique stature made him an instant sensation.
Coach Golden had previously given Rioux the option to play sparingly during his first year or take a redshirt season to develop his skills and adapt to the college game. Rioux chose the latter, opting to focus on improving his game rather than rushing into competition. Despite limited playing time, Rioux became a campus celebrity, frequently spotted riding his bike around campus, ducking under doorways, and even cutting down nets during Florida’s NCAA Tournament run—an iconic image given his height.
“He’s put in a lot of great work,” Golden said of Rioux. “To his credit, he’s kept a great attitude without getting a lot of reward in terms of playing time and opportunity.” The coach made it clear that Rioux would only see action late in games that were already decided, largely due to Florida’s depth in the frontcourt with four returning players. Nonetheless, Rioux has remained committed and motivated, welcoming the challenge of competing in practice against established players like Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten.
Golden emphasized the importance of a strong start in the game to provide opportunities for bench players, including Rioux, to get valuable minutes. “I talked to the guys at halftime when we’re up 24 and I expressed to them the importance of getting off to a really good start so we can get some of the younger guys and some of the guys from down on the bench an opportunity to play and to get some rip,” he said. “Obviously the game was in our control and thought it would be a good opportunity to get him out there and get his first college experience, and I think he was pretty excited. It was pretty neat for him to finally see the floor.”
The fans’ reaction to Rioux’s debut was one of the loudest moments of the game, second only to the unveiling of Florida’s championship banner before tipoff. When Golden signaled for Rioux to check in, the crowd erupted in cheers. Rioux quickly shed his long-sleeved T-shirt and made his way