Florida Gators‘ 7-foot-5 Rioux Makes College Basketball Debut, Claiming Title of Tallest Player
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a moment celebrated by teammates and fans alike,7-foot-5 olivier Rioux of the University of Florida men’s basketball team made his collegiate debut saturday,becoming the tallest player in NCAA Division I basketball history.The redshirt freshman checked into the Gators’ game against Kennesaw State in the final minutes, receiving a standing ovation rivaled only by the pre-game banner unveiling for Florida’s championship team.
Rioux’s appearance marks a significant moment not only for the Gators program but for college basketball itself. The Canadian native has spent the past two years developing with the team, and his debut signifies a potential shift in the landscape of the sport, introducing an unprecedented physical presence. Florida coach Todd Golden emphasized the importance of building a agreeable lead to provide opportunities for younger players like Rioux,stating,”It was pretty neat for him to finally see the floor.”
The game was well in hand, allowing Golden to grant Rioux the possibility. “Obviously the game was in our control and thoght it would be a good opportunity to get him out ther and get his first college experience, and I think he was pretty excited,” golden said.While Rioux did not record any statistics in his brief appearance, the impact was felt throughout the arena.
Teammate Micah Handlogten offered words of encouragement as Rioux prepared to enter the game. “I kind of stopped him and I was like, ‘Play with confidence. You’ve worked your butt off for two years now to get to this spot.Now’s your moment. This is your time to shine.'” Handlogten noted Rioux was “running up and down the court with a little smile on his face.”
Rioux’s height surpasses that of previous notable tall players in college basketball, including 7-foot-4 Chuck Nevitt (North Carolina State) and 7-foot-4 Mark Eaton (Purdue). his presence is expected to present unique challenges for opposing teams, both offensively and defensively. The Gators will continue their season with upcoming games, providing further opportunities for Rioux to develop and contribute to the team.