Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux Makes College Basketball Debut
Fans of the Florida Gators finally witnessed the moment they had been anticipating: Olivier Rioux, standing 7-foot-9, stepped onto the college basketball court for the first time on Thursday night.
The towering player entered the game with about two minutes remaining in a dominant 40-point victory over North Florida. Although his debut was brief and quiet, with no recorded stats, it marked the beginning of his college career as the tallest player in college basketball.
Game Highlights and Context
The Gators secured a decisive 104-64 win, scoring 52 points in each half. This victory was important after a tough season opener, where Florida fell to No. 13 Arizona. Facing the in-state Ospreys, a less competitive opponent, provided a chance to regain momentum. Rioux's presence was a notable part of the game atmosphere, energizing fans.
“Gator fans went WILD for Olivier Rioux checking into the game 🐊” — @SECNetwork
Rioux's Background
Olivier Rioux was already on campus last year during his redshirt season, when the Florida Gators won the national championship. He is remembered for cutting down his piece of the net from the ground, a unique moment reflecting his immense height.
Looking Ahead
While this debut was low-key, it represents the start of Rioux’s contributions on the court as the team looks forward to the season ahead.
Author's summary: Olivier Rioux, the tallest player in college basketball at 7-foot-9, made his long-awaited debut for Florida, energizing fans despite a brief appearance in a dominant win.