Olivier Rioux, the center for Florida, achieved an NCAA milestone just by participating in the game on Thursday evening.
The redshirt freshman achieved the distinction of being the tallest Division I athlete to participate in a game when he entered the contest with slightly over two minutes remaining in the Gators’ overwhelming triumph over North Florida.
Florida officially lists Rioux at 7-foot-9, and he spent the 2024-25 season as a reserve while the Gators secured the national championship. If he were to join the NBA and his height remains consistent, Rioux would surpass Gheorghe Muresan as the tallest NBA player ever by two inches.
He is also taller by two inches than Kenny George and Mike Lanier. These 7-foot-7 centers previously shared the record for the tallest Division I players. George competed for UNC Asheville from 2006 to 2008, while Lanier played for Hardin-Simmons and UCLA from 1988 to 1993.
Prior to committing to Florida, Rioux established the Guinness World Record for the tallest teenager at the age of 15, standing at 7-6.
Rioux’s height even attracted the attention of the Florida football team during the past summer. The Gators experimented with Rioux on the field goal blocking unit due to his height and reach. However, according to an ESPN article, the center’s vertical jump measures only 11 inches.
Rioux did not register any statistics during his two minutes on the court in the 104-64 victory against North Florida and appears destined to play a limited role in the Gators’ attempt to defend their title. Florida has retained players like Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, and Rueben Chinyelu from their national championship-winning squad and possesses a deep front court ahead of Rioux in the depth chart.
