Why Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux isn't playing for defending champion Gators

Why Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux Isn't Playing for the Defending Champion Gators

Florida boasts the tallest player in college basketball, Olivier Rioux, who stands 7-foot-9. Despite his remarkable height, Rioux spent the season opener on the sidelines, prompting questions from fans about why he isn't playing.

Rioux is not yet ready to compete with the speed, skill, and physicality of top-level college basketball. The Gators redshirted him during his first year to allow time for him to get stronger and develop his game.

During the national championship, Rioux was present to celebrate and cut down a piece of the net but did not participate in the game.

"After redshirting as a true freshman last season, he's expected to get on the court in limited capacity this fall. He's unlikely to play much considering the defending national champions return their entire frontcourt, but he should at least get on the court in garbage time. (Todd) Golden already has considered using him to guard inbound passes, something Rioux did to perfection just before halftime against the United States in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland earlier this month. Rioux forced an errant pass that led to a turnover and a 3-pointer just before halftime."

Rioux’s exceptional height even earned him a place in the Guinness World Records a few years ago, making him a notable viral figure at Florida.

Summary

Although Olivier Rioux's extraordinary height grabs attention, his development phase and team dynamics have kept him from playing significant minutes for the Gators this season.

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Sporting News — 2025-11-04

Why Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux Isn't Playing for the Defending Champion Gators

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