World’s Tallest Teenager Makes 6-Foot-8 Defender Look Miniature In College Basketball Debut

Olivier Rioux became the tallest player to every play college basketball when he finally checked into the game for Florida on Thursday night. Although he did not record a single stat, it was a historic moment.

The crowd went bonkers.

It will be interesting to see how often the Gators go to Rioux during his redshirt freshman season of college basketball. He only got play in the closing minutes of a 40-point blowout during his debut.

Who is Olivier Rioux?

If you are not yet familiar with Rioux, welcome. There may not be another athlete in college sports history who received this much attention despite not playing a single game.

His journey started in Canada, where he was officially named as the ‘World’s Tallest Teenager’ by the Guinness Book of World Records. An impressive high school basketball career in Quebec and brief stint with Real Madrid led him to the IMG Academy. That time in Bradenton ultimately led him to Gainesville.

Rioux made his teammates look minuscule upon arrival to the University of Florida, while head coach Todd Golden tried to develop him into a legitimate role player instead of just a novelty. He barely fits on the bench at the astonishing height of 7-foot-9.

The true freshman phenom didn’t even need a ladder to cut down the nets at the SEC Championship or national championship, even though he did not play in a single game last season. It was quite the ordeal to get him to fit on the plane to meet president Trump after winning the national title.

The Gators even gave him a tryout for the football team but Rioux didn’t jump high enough to make it work!

The world’s tallest teenager finally made his college basketball debut at Florida.

Olivier Rioux is a redshirt freshman in 2025. He is still only 19 years old for three more months.

Unlike last year, Golden does not have an incentive to keep him on the bench to preserve eligibility. There is no reason not to get him in the game for live action whenever possible.

That first opportunity came against North Florida on Thursday.

Rioux checked into the game late in the second half. The O-Dome erupted.