Story by
Olivier Rioux — tallest player ever in college basketball — picks transfer destination
- Story by
- Olivier Rioux — tallest player ever in college basketball — picks transfer destination
College basketball's tallest Gator is now the tallest Anteater.
Fomer Florida center Olivier Rioux — the tallest player in college basketball history, at 7-9 — committed to UC Irvine via the transfer portal on Thursday, April 30, after two seasons in a reserve role.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"Prochain arret: Irvine, Californie," he wrote in French on social media, which translates to "Next stop: Irvine, California"
'You're a big boy!' Giant Olivier Rioux's height shocks Prairie View A&M player
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux became both the tallest player to ever score in an NCAA Tournament and SEC conference game this season
but is also known for his other-worldly size.
Above, Rioux looks to pass in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
Mar 1, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) and center Olivier Rioux (32) and guard Alijah Martin (15) and forward Thomas Haugh (10) huddle after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
(Morgan Tencza, Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images)
Nov 21, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) talks on the radio broadcast with Florida Gators play-by-play caller Sean Kelley after a game against the Merrimack Warriors at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) blocks Colgate guard Josh Ahayere (4) during the second half of an NCAA mens basketball game at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Florida won 90-60. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun, Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) dunks the ball in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) greets fans after Florida’s 114-55 win over Prairie View A&M of the NCAA March Madness opening round at Benchmark international Arena in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. .[Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun, Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) defends in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: Olivier Rioux #32 of the Florida Gators controls the ball against Corey Dunning #4 of the Prairie View A&M Panthers during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) and Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Hassane Diallo (11) look on during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) prepares to sub in during the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) and the rest of the gators arrive at Benchmark International Arena before the NCAA March Madness opening round at JW Marriott in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. Several hundred people cheered Florida as they left the JW Marriott to board the bus for to go to the arena. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood, Alan Youngblood / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Olivier Rioux #32 of the Florida Gators cuts the net after defeating the second half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) makes a slam dunk as the Florida Gators men’s basketball team held a practice on John W. Frost II Practice Court in Gainesville, FL, on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)
(Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun, Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) guards during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at Steven C. O'Connel Center Exactech Areana in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, November 6, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun)
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32), second from left, sits on the bench with his teammates as the Florida Gators hosted the Grambling Tigers at Exactech Area at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Monday, November 11, 2024. (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)
(Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun, Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) blocks Colgate guard Josh Ahayere (4) during the second half of an NCAA mens basketball game at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Florida won 90-60.
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun)
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) high fives fans after Florida beat LSU 79-61 at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun, Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3), Florida Gators guard Alex Kovatchev (8), Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) and Florida Gators guard Cooper Josefsberg (33) celebrate with Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) after a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) enters the game next to guard CJ Ingram II (11) against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum.
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
1
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux became both the tallest player to ever score in an NCAA Tournament and SEC conference game this season
but is also known for his other-worldly size.
Above, Rioux looks to pass in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
1
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux became both the tallest player to ever score in an NCAA Tournament and SEC conference game this season
but is also known for his other-worldly size.
Above, Rioux looks to pass in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
2
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Mar 1, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) and center Olivier Rioux (32) and guard Alijah Martin (15) and forward Thomas Haugh (10) huddle after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
(Morgan Tencza, Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images)
3
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Nov 21, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) talks on the radio broadcast with Florida Gators play-by-play caller Sean Kelley after a game against the Merrimack Warriors at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
4
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) blocks Colgate guard Josh Ahayere (4) during the second half of an NCAA mens basketball game at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Florida won 90-60. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun, Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
5
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) dunks the ball in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
6
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) greets fans after Florida’s 114-55 win over Prairie View A&M of the NCAA March Madness opening round at Benchmark international Arena in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. .[Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun, Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
7
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) defends in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
8
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: Olivier Rioux #32 of the Florida Gators controls the ball against Corey Dunning #4 of the Prairie View A&M Panthers during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
9
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) and Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Hassane Diallo (11) look on during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
10
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) prepares to sub in during the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
11
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) and the rest of the gators arrive at Benchmark International Arena before the NCAA March Madness opening round at JW Marriott in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. Several hundred people cheered Florida as they left the JW Marriott to board the bus for to go to the arena. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood, Alan Youngblood / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
12
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Olivier Rioux #32 of the Florida Gators cuts the net after defeating the second half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
13
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) makes a slam dunk as the Florida Gators men’s basketball team held a practice on John W. Frost II Practice Court in Gainesville, FL, on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)
(Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun, Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
14
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) guards during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at Steven C. O'Connel Center Exactech Areana in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, November 6, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun)
15
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32), second from left, sits on the bench with his teammates as the Florida Gators hosted the Grambling Tigers at Exactech Area at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Monday, November 11, 2024. (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)
(Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun, Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
16
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) blocks Colgate guard Josh Ahayere (4) during the second half of an NCAA mens basketball game at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Florida won 90-60.
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun)
17
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) high fives fans after Florida beat LSU 79-61 at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
(Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun, Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
18
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3), Florida Gators guard Alex Kovatchev (8), Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) and Florida Gators guard Cooper Josefsberg (33) celebrate with Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) after a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
19
/19
See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) enters the game next to guard CJ Ingram II (11) against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum.
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
Rioux, the tallest player in NCAA basketball history , appeared in 11 games in 2025-26, averaging 0.6 points with 0.5 rebounds per game in a minor role. He scored two points with two rebounds and an assist in mop-up duty against Prairie View A&M in the first round of the men's NCAA Tournament, and scored his first basket in conference play against Alabama on Feb. 1.
Rioux played 17 minutes of total action this season as he backed up Florida starting big men Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu , who are both returning next season. He also played behind backup center Micah Handlogten , a multi-year contributor for the Gators .
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Rioux could potentially find a much-bigger role at UC Irvine , who helped develop former center Kyle Evans into one of the better prospects in this year's transfer portal. The NC State commit averaged 12.1 points with 8.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game last season after playing only 20 games across his first two college seasons at Colorado State.
The former Florida center announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on March 31, a week before the two-week transfer portal window opened on April 7.
"After taking time to reflect on my journey and what's best for my future, I've decided to enter the transfer portal," he wrote as part of a longer message.
Rioux didn't find a permanent role at Florida, but perhaps his size and length will translate to the mid-major level at UC Irvine.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Olivier Rioux height: How tall is Olivier Rioux?
Rioux is the tallest player in college basketball history. He is listed as 7 feet, 9 inches tall.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Olivier Rioux, tallest player in NCAA basketball history, transfers to UC Irvine
