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The world’s tallest teenager becomes the tallest player in college basketball history

  • On Thursday, Nov. 6, Olivier Rioux made his college debut with 2:09 remaining at the O'Connell Center against North Florida, becoming the tallest player to ever play college basketball.
  • Florida coach Todd Golden relented after fans chanted `We Want Ollie` at halftime, inserting Olivier Rioux late in the game after planning limited minutes and offering a redshirt option last year.
  • Standing at 7'9, Olivier Rioux already held a Guinness World Records entry as the world's tallest teenager and is taller than Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, but North Florida defense kept the ball from him.
  • Fans-first: The official crowd of 10,065 erupted when Rioux checked in, and the Gators routed North Florida 104, over 64, as teammates and coaches celebrated.
  • Rioux said `It's another day, I guess.` after the game, while coaching staff praised Olivier Rioux, 19-year-old, and said he will await future opportunities to play more and touch the ball.
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113 Articles

Roanoke TimesRoanoke Times
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Center

Tallest teen makes college basketball history

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Todd Golden had people yelling at him at halftime Thursday night to get 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux in the game.

The Killeen Daily HeraldThe Killeen Daily Herald
+43 Reposted by 43 other sources
Center

World's tallest teen Rioux sets US college basketball mark

Olivier Rioux, a 19-year-old Canadian recognized as the world's tallest teen, has set another record as the tallest player in United States college basketball for the University of Florida.

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U.S. News broke the news in New York, United States on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
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