Olivier Rioux — tallest player ever in college basketball — picks transfer destination

College basketball’s tallest Gator is now the tallest Anteater.

Fomer Florida center Olivier Rioux — the tallest player in college basketball history, at 7-9 — committed to UC Irvine via the transfer portal on Thursday, April 30, after two seasons in a reserve role.

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“Prochain arret: Irvine, Californie,” he wrote in French on social media, which translates to “Next stop: Irvine, California”

‘You’re a big boy!’ Giant Olivier Rioux’s height shocks Prairie View A&M player

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See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action

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See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action

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See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action

Mar 1, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) and center Olivier Rioux (32) and guard Alijah Martin (15) and forward Thomas Haugh (10) huddle after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

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See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action

Nov 21, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) talks on the radio broadcast with Florida Gators play-by-play caller Sean Kelley after a game against the Merrimack Warriors at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

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See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action

Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) blocks Colgate guard Josh Ahayere (4) during the second half of an NCAA mens basketball game at Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Florida won 90-60. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

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See 7-foot-9 NCAA basketball player Olivier Rioux in action

Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) dunks the ball in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.

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See 7-foot-9 NCAA…

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Publish date : 2026-04-30 15:55:00

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