The Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The world's tallest college basketball player is on the move. Florida's Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center from Canada and the most popular athlete on campus, announced Tuesday he is entering the transfer portal.
The portal officially opens on April 7. Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team's national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season. He played 15 total minutes, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and an assist. He set a Guinness World Record as the world's tallest teen before he stepped foot on campus. Now 20, he's looking for a chance to play more as a third-year sophomore. 'After taking time to reflect on my journey and what's best for my future, I've decided to enter the transfer portal,' Rioux wrote in an Instagram post. Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida last November. He scored three games later, making a free throw after getting fouled. He also recorded his first rebound. Rioux is 2 inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and 3 inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley. He already owned a spot in the Guinness record book when he signed with Florida in 2024. Golden gave Rioux the option of playing sparingly as a true freshman or taking a redshirt season and working on his game. Rioux chose the latter. Nonetheless, he was a walking viral video, from riding his custom-made bike on campus, to ducking under every doorway, to cutting down nets while standing flat-footed during Florida's NCAA Tournament run. Golden made it clear before the season that Rioux would only play late in blowouts, the result of having all four frontcourt players returning. But Rioux doubled down on wanting to be at Florida and welcomed the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games. He was always the bigger — literally — attraction.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Florida Woman Awarded $14 Million After Eating Ice Cream Contaminated with ‘Metal Shards and Nails’Source of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
Woman indicted in Escambia County, Florida in death of her childThe boy, who was nonverbal and had autism, was found in a trash bag along the waterline near Lillian Highway on Feb. 7.
Read more »
Johnny Manziel reacts to Tiger Woods crash in FloridaFox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Read more »
Florida Sweeps No. 4 Arkansas in First Home SEC Sweep Since 2016Florida's Gators racked up a season-high 17 hits to complete a three-game sweep of the Hogs.
Read more »
INSIDE LOOK: Florida Gators First Scrimmage & Coaches Clinic | What We Learned about Sumrall's StaffInside Florida's first spring scrimmage under Jon Sumrall — standout players, QB battle, OL concerns, and exclusive coaches clinic takeaways.
Read more »
World's tallest basketball player, 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux, is transferring from FloridaThe world’s tallest college basketball player is on the move.
Read more »