Florida Basketball's Olivier Rioux Sets NCAA Height Record
Florida basketball's redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux made history during the Gators' recent game. Standing 7-foot-9, Rioux became the tallest player ever to appear in an NCAA game, marking a significant milestone for Florida basketball.
Historic Game Highlights
The event occurred during Florida's 104-64 victory over North Florida. In the final minutes, the Gator student section began chanting for Rioux’s entry. Head coach Todd Golden eventually responded, signaling Rioux to join the game.
“Todd just looked at me,” Rioux recalled, “And I just (pretends to take shirt off) with my t-shirt.”
Rioux described the moment as special, praising the support from fans and his teammates. He entered the game with two minutes and nine seconds remaining, officially becoming the tallest player in college basketball history. The crowd of 10,065 erupted in celebration.
“It felt great. The support from everybody was amazing. Even on the bench and even with the fans. I’m very grateful,” Rioux said.
Reactions from Coach and Player
When asked about the significance of setting the record, Rioux responded modestly:
“It’s another day, I guess.”
Coach Golden echoed this sentiment, indicating his focus was more on the game’s earlier moments.
“Not something that I think that much about,” Golden said. “I like the banner dropping before better. I'm happy for him that he got an opportunity to get out there tonight.”
Key Details
- Olivier Rioux is 7-foot-9 tall.
- He is a redshirt freshman for Florida Gators.
- Rioux became the tallest player to ever participate in an NCAA game.
- The moment occurred with 2:09 left in Florida's 104-64 win over North Florida.
- The crowd at the arena was 10,065.
Summary: Olivier Rioux made NCAA history as the tallest player in a game, receiving enthusiastic support from fans and his coach during Florida's dominant win.