Why Florida’s 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux isn’t playing in March Madness despite being super tall

Why Florida’s 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux isn’t playing in March Madness despite being super tall originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Olivier Rioux is impossible to miss.

Advertisement

The Florida Gators’ redshirt freshman center is 7-foot-9. In other words, super tall, taller than pretty much any human any of us have ever seen either up close or on our television.

But because of that conspicuousness, it’s also very clear to fans when Rioux isn’t actually playing for Florida, which turns out to be most of the time.

Rioux didn’t play a second on last season’s national championship team, preserving his redshirt.

This year, entering the NCAA Tournament, he has appeared in 10 games. Rioux has played a total of 14 minutes, made 2-of-3 field goals and 1-of-2 free throws, totaled five points and grabbed four rebounds while turning it over once and committing two fouls.

Advertisement

Not the most exciting role ever for the 7-foot-9 guy.

And really, it’s hard to know if that will change.

MORE: Syracuse, Gerry McNamara, a near upset and a head coaching gig

Why isn’t 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux playing in March Madness?

Rioux simply isn’t a skilled enough basketball player, or mobile enough, to take advantage of his size at the highest levels of D-I hoops.

“He has neither the height, awareness, footwork, nor touch to keep up and meaningfully contribute on an SEC squad,” wrote the popular NCAA Buzzer Beaters account on X.

For what it’s worth, Florida also has a stacked frontcourt of multiple players who could end up in the NBA.

Advertisement

Some might wonder if Rioux has a professional future just thanks to his size.

First, though, he’ll have to find his way onto the court, whether that’s at Florida or elsewhere. And evidently, that’s easier said than done, even for a 7-9 dude.

More March Madness news:

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-floridas-7-foot-9-231002960.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-03-20 23:10:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.