Olivier Rioux Sets New College Basketball Height Record
Olivier Rioux, a 236cm tall teenager from Canada, made headlines during his debut game for Florida, becoming the tallest player ever to participate in US college basketball.
Historic Debut
Rioux received a standing ovation as he entered the game with two minutes remaining, helping Florida secure a victory over North Florida.
- Rioux, aged 19, surpassed Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol—the tallest NBA players in history—by five centimeters.
- The crowd at the O'Connell Center repeatedly chanted "We Want Ollie," eventually prompting coach Todd Golden to put Rioux in the game with 2:09 left on the clock.
- Florida won the match with a score of 104-64 against North Florida.
Reactions and Atmosphere
Rioux, recognized as the world’s tallest teenager and Florida's redshirt freshman, attracted significant attention but did not handle the ball during the game due to the Ospreys' close defense.
The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I'm very grateful.
It's another day, I guess.
North Florida forward Trey Cady, who was notably much shorter, shared a lighthearted moment by measuring himself against Rioux and smiling at the height difference.
Author’s Summary
Olivier Rioux’s historic debut for Florida captivated fans, set a new height record, and brought together participants and spectators alike in celebration of a remarkable milestone.