7′ 9″ Olivier Rioux scores first bucket (0:18)Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest teenager, scores his first bucket for Florida vs. Saint Francis. (0:18)
The 7-foot-9 center and the world’s tallest teenager recorded his first collegiate field goal in the 23rd-ranked Gators’ 102-61 victory against Saint Francis on Wednesday night.
“Pretty special, man,” Gators coach Todd Golden said. “The transition, his vertical. Woo. He was up there, man.”
Rioux delivered, first with a hard foul on the defensive end and then with an impressive cut to the basket on the other. Florida players celebrated wildly, jumping around and pushing each other in revelry.
Quipped teammate Alex Condon, who added 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots: “Good pass from CJ.”
Rioux became the tallest person to play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida in early November. Rioux, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Canada, drew so much attention from the Ospreys that he didn’t even touch the ball in that one.
He scored three games later, making a free throw after getting fouled. He also recorded his first rebound.
But this was different. It was a clear display of just how difficult Rioux can be to defend, even though Golden says Rioux’s stamina allows him to play only a couple of minutes at a time.
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 the Guinness record book 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.
Golden has made it clear that Rioux would play only late in blowouts, the result of having all four frontcourt players returning. But Rioux doubled down on wanting to be at Florida and welcomed the challenge of playing against Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.
7′ 9″ Olivier Rioux scores first bucket (0:18)Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest teenager, scores his first bucket for Florida vs. Saint Francis. (0:18)
Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest teenager, scores his first bucket for Florida vs. Saint Francis. (0:18)
It was the most memorable play in a forgettable game against an overmatched opponent.
“We were just going crazy,” said Florida guard Xaivian Lee, who led the team with 18 points.
But he’s always the bigger — literally — attraction.