7-foot-9 Florida Center Olivier Rioux Makes Historic College Hoops Debut
During Florida’s decisive 104-64 victory over Northern Florida on Thursday night, fans eagerly awaited a special moment — the debut of redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux, the tallest player in college basketball history at 7-foot-9.
Anticipation Builds Among Fans
Throughout the game, chants of “We Want Ollie” echoed through the arena, urging coach Todd Golden to give Rioux his long-awaited chance on the court.
“I said, ‘Listen, it will happen, the time will come.’ I can be stubborn,” Golden admitted. “I don’t listen to direction very well at times, so when they’re yelling at me to do it, it’s kinda like, ‘Well, maybe I’ll wait a little longer.’”
Historic Moment on the Court
With just over two minutes remaining and the game firmly in hand, Golden finally sent Rioux to the scorer’s table. The crowd erupted as he stepped onto the hardwood, officially becoming the tallest player ever to compete in collegiate basketball.
Rioux played two minutes for the defending champions but did not record any statistics. Despite that, his brief appearance marked a historic and emotional moment for both the player and the fans.
“The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported, and I’m very grateful.”
Author’s Summary
Olivier Rioux’s long-awaited debut for Florida captivated fans as he became the tallest player in college basketball history, turning a routine victory into a milestone night.