Florida’s Olivier Rioux: NCAA Tournament’s Tallest Player Scores First Dunk | Gators News
TAMPA, Fla. — The final score of Friday night’s first-round NCAA Tournament game between Florida and Prairie View A&M – a resounding 114-55 victory for the Gators – barely captured the full story. Beyond the lopsided result, a moment unfolded at , that resonated far beyond the box score: the arrival of Olivier Rioux on the biggest stage in college basketball.
With 1:54 remaining and the game well in hand, Florida head coach Todd Golden granted the bench a long-awaited opportunity. The crowd at Benchmark International Arena erupted, chanting “We want Ol-lie!” as the 7-foot-5 Rioux prepared to enter the game. The chants grew with each possession, culminating in a triumphant cheer as Rioux finally stepped onto the court.
Rioux didn’t just appear in the game; he made his mark. He closed out the contest with a put-back dunk, officially becoming the tallest player ever to appear in an NCAA Tournament game. “It feels amazing,” Rioux said, understatedly, after the game.
The significance of this moment extends beyond a single dunk. At 16 years old, Rioux was already listed at 7 feet 5 inches, earning him recognition from Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest teenager. His journey to this point has been unique. He became the tallest player to play in a college basketball game on against North Florida, the tallest to score on against Merrimack, and the tallest to produce a field goal on against St. Francis.
Even within a Florida team known for its size – senior Micah Handlogten stands at 7-foot-1 – Rioux is an anomaly. He towers over his teammates in practice and during huddles, standing eight inches taller than Handlogten. On the court, the difference is even more stark; he was 16 inches taller than Prairie View A&M guard Elijah Mitchell.
But Rioux’s story isn’t solely about his height. It’s a story of dedication and a willingness to chase a dream. A native of Quebec, he chose to hone his skills at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida – just 50 miles from Friday’s game venue. Many of his former IMG teammates were in the crowd of 20,112, cheering him on.
“He’s the underdog,” said Florida supporter Ken Kirkley, who was among those chanting for Rioux in the final minutes. “It’s the embodiment of being a Gator.”
Rioux redshirted last season as Florida secured a national championship, using the time to develop his game and build strength on his 305-pound frame. His improvement has been noticeable. When he first arrived in Gainesville, he ran the court in 12 seconds; now, through dedicated function after practices, he’s down to around 9 seconds. This increased speed, combined with his extraordinary length, has made him a challenging matchup for teammates during practice.
“Little things you don’t pay attention to, it’s helped,” said teammate Rueben Chinyelu, acknowledging Rioux’s impact beyond the stat sheet. Chinyelu was particularly vocal in encouraging the crowd to chant for Rioux, recognizing the contributions of the reserves to Florida’s 27-7 season.
The energy in the arena was palpable as Rioux prepared to enter the game. He even playfully encouraged the fans to increase the volume of the “We want Ol-lie!” chants by waving his arms. When he finally shed his warmup shirt with 3:30 remaining, the crowd erupted once more. The roar that followed carried a weight of expectation.
“It’s pretty unbelievable,” said forward Alex Condon. “He’s a very tall bloke. He comes out there, and everyone’s chanting to get him the ball. He does a great job managing that pressure and taking the right shots.”
Rioux missed his first two attempts, but quickly rebounded, securing the ball and lunging for the dunk. “I saw a wide-open dunk,” he explained simply.
The dunk ignited the crowd, and Rioux immediately hustled back on defense, demonstrating a commitment to all facets of the game. His final stat line – two rebounds, one assist, and the unforgettable dunk – doesn’t fully capture the moment. It was a symbolic step forward, a demonstration that he’s striving to be more than just the tallest player in the game.
“It’s very key,” Rioux said. “I think I did that today.”