Florida Basketball: Olivier Rioux, Tallest Player Ever, Scores in NCAA Tournament Debut

TAMPA, Fla. — The chants started with 8 1/2 minutes remaining in Florida’s dominant 114-55 victory over Prairie View A&M, a first-round NCAA Tournament game that quickly became a showcase for a different kind of history. “We aim for Ol-lie!” the crowd roared, a demand directed toward the Gators’ bench. By the sixth iteration, the chant had transformed into a jubilant cheer as Olivier Rioux, the world’s tallest teenager, prepared to enter the game.

Rioux, at 7 feet 5 inches, became the tallest player ever to appear in an NCAA Tournament game when he checked in with 1:54 left on the clock. His first act: a position-back dunk that sent the crowd at Benchmark International Arena into a frenzy. “It feels amazing,” Rioux said afterward.

The moment wasn’t just a celebration of a blowout win for the No. 1 seeded Gators; it was the culmination of a unique journey for Rioux. Guinness World Records recognized him as the world’s tallest teenager at age 16. This season, he’s broken barriers simply by stepping onto the court, becoming the tallest player to play in a college basketball game (November 6th against North Florida), score in a game (November 21st against Merrimack), and make a field goal (a dunk against St. Francis on December 17th), according to team reports.

Rioux’s path to Gainesville began in Quebec, Canada. Rather than remain in a familiar environment, he chose to hone his skills at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida – a 50-mile drive south of Tampa. Several of his former IMG teammates were in attendance Friday, witnessing the realization of a dream. Ken Kirkley, a Florida supporter, described Rioux as “the underdog,” embodying the spirit of a Gator.

Last season, Rioux redshirted as Florida secured a national championship, dedicating the year to developing his game and building strength on his 305-pound frame. His physical transformation has been notable; initially running the court in 12 seconds, he’s now closer to 9 seconds thanks to focused post-practice drills. This improved speed has proven valuable in practice, challenging teammates like Rueben Chinyelu during rebounding drills.

Chinyelu was among Rioux’s most vocal supporters during the game, recognizing the contributions of the reserves to Florida’s 27-7 season. “Little things you don’t pay attention to, it’s helped,” Chinyelu said. During the chants for Rioux, he actively encouraged the crowd to increase the volume.

When Rioux finally shed his warm-up shirt, the arena erupted. Forward Alex Condon, a native of Australia, acknowledged the pressure that comes with such a moment. “It’s pretty unbelievable,” Condon said. “He’s a very tall bloke. He comes out there, and everyone’s chanting to get him the ball. He does a great job managing that pressure and taking the right shots.”

Rioux missed his first two attempts but secured a rebound and converted a dunk on his third opportunity. The crowd responded with another surge of energy. His final stat line – two rebounds, one assist, and the dunk – didn’t fully capture the significance of the moment. After the dunk, Rioux immediately hustled back on defense, demonstrating a commitment to the fundamentals of the game.

“It’s very important,” Rioux said. “I think I did that today.”