Gators' Rioux becomes tallest to play in college basketball game - ESPN

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Todd Golden had people yelling at him at halftime Thursday night to get 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux into the game.

Golden relented with 2:09 to play — and made history in the process — after chants of «We Want Ollie» swept through the O'Connell Center.

Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida. Rioux, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Canada and the world's tallest teenager, drew so much attention from the Ospreys that he didn't even touch the ball.

«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.»

When asked about making history, Rioux quipped: «It's another day, I guess.»

Rioux made everyone in attendance smile. Even North Florida forward Trey Cady smirked when he measured himself against Rioux. Cady was giving up more than a foot in the matchup.

«There's people yelling at me at halftime about playing him,» Golden said. «I'm like, 'Listen, it will happen. The time will come.'»

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 already owned a spot in Guinness World Records when he signed with Florida in 2024.

Golden gave Rioux the option of playing sparingly last season or taking a redshirt season and working on his game. Rioux chose the latter. Nonetheless, he was a walking viral video, from riding his bike on campus, to ducking under every doorway, to cutting down nets while standing flat-footed during Florida's NCAA tournament run.

«He's put in a lot of great work,» Golden