236cm teenager becomes tallest-ever US college basketball player

236cm Teenager Becomes Tallest-Ever US College Basketball Player

Olivier Rioux caused a stir as he made his debut for the University of Florida, becoming the tallest player ever in US college basketball. Standing 236 cm tall, the Canadian freshman set a new record on the hardwood.

Historic Debut for Florida

Rioux received a standing ovation when he entered the game with two minutes remaining in Florida's 104-64 victory over North Florida. At 19 years old, he is five centimeters taller than Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, the tallest players in NBA history.

Coach Responds to Fan Chants

During halftime, Florida coach Todd Golden faced chants of "We Want Ollie" from the crowd at the O'Connell Center, urging him to put Rioux on the court. Golden finally relented with 2:09 left, making history with Rioux's debut.

"The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I'm very grateful."

When asked about making history, Rioux replied: "It's another day, I guess."

Attention on the Court

Despite drawing massive attention from the opposition, Rioux did not touch the ball during the game. His presence alone was enough to make an impression, even causing North Florida forward Trey Cady to smirk as he measured himself against Rioux, who towered over him by more than a foot.

Summary

Olivier Rioux's towering stature and historic debut have instantly made him a noteworthy figure in college basketball, setting a new height record with his 236 cm frame.

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) — 2025-11-07