Florida Basketball's Olivier Rioux Sets NCAA Record
Florida basketball's redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux made history by becoming the tallest player ever to appear in an NCAA game. Standing at 7-foot-9, Rioux achieved this milestone during the Gators' commanding 104-64 victory over North Florida.
A Historic Moment Overshadowing the Banner Unveiling
In the home opener, the spotlight shifted away from the unveiling of the Gators’ national championship banner to the unique feat of Rioux’s debut. With just over two minutes remaining, the Gator student section erupted, chanting for the towering freshman to enter the game.
Coach and Crowd Support
Head coach Todd Golden eventually obliged, turning to Rioux who acknowledged the moment playfully. Rioux recalled,
“Todd just looked at me. And I just (pretends to take shirt off) with my t-shirt.”
He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, saying, “It felt great. The support from everybody was amazing. Even on the bench and even with the fans. I’m very grateful.”
The Record and Reactions
Rioux’s entry with 2 minutes and 9 seconds left broke the NCAA height record, igniting cheers from the 10,065 attendees. Despite the significance, the player downplayed the moment:
“It’s another day, I guess.”
Coach Golden reflected similarly:
“Not something that I think that much about. I like the banner dropping before better. I'm happy for him that he got an opportunity to get out there tonight.”
Author's Summary
Olivier Rioux made NCAA history as the tallest player in a game, celebrating a unique milestone during Florida’s dominant victory with strong support from fans and coaches alike.