236cm Teenager Becomes Tallest-ever US College Basketball Player
Olivier Rioux caused a stir as he debuted for the University of Florida, becoming the tallest player ever to compete at the college basketball level in the United States. Standing at 236 cm (7 ft 9 in), the 19-year-old Canadian surpassed the height of Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, the two tallest players in NBA history by five centimeters.
Historic Debut and Crowd Reaction
Rioux received a standing ovation when he entered the game with two minutes remaining in Florida’s 104-64 victory over North Florida. The O'Connell Center crowd chanted "We Want Ollie," urging Florida coach Todd Golden to put the towering center on the court.
"The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I'm very grateful."
Despite drawing intense attention from the North Florida Ospreys, Rioux did not touch the ball during his time on the court.
Reactions and Remarks
When asked about making history as the tallest college basketball player ever, Rioux responded casually:
"It's another day, I guess."
Even opponents found humor in the matchup. North Florida forward Trey Cady smiled while comparing his height to Rioux’s, noting the significant difference.
Summary
Olivier Rioux’s record-breaking debut highlighted his unique height and the enthusiastic support from fans and teammates alike, marking a memorable moment in college basketball history.
Author's note: Olivier Rioux’s extraordinary height and calm demeanor made his college basketball debut a historic and warmly celebrated event.
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