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The average height of the men’s basketball program will increase significantly next season.
That’s because Olivier Rioux, the tallest college basketball player of all time, hails from the University of Florida.
The 7-foot-9 20-year-old announced his decision in an Instagram post, where he thanked his coaches for “believing in me, trusting me, and pushing me to improve every day,” as well as “the coaches, managers, and support staff.”
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Center Olivier Rioux of the Florida Gators checks the game to find guard Urban Klavzar of the Florida Gators during a college basketball game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs on Feb. 11, 2026, at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Rioux said he took time to “reflect on my jersey and what’s best for my future.”
“It’s really hard to put into words what these past two years and this experience have meant to me. From being raised in the province of Quebec back home in Canada, representing this amazing program, wearing these colors and competing at the highest level has been one of the greatest honors of my life…” wrote Rioux.
“Winning the national championship last year was a dream come true for all of us. It’s something we worked for every day, and experiencing that time together is something I will cherish forever. I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my life.
“To the alumni and Florida Victorious, thank you for building a legacy that we are so proud to build on. And to my teammates, my brothers, thank you for every moment, every fight, every joke, and every memory. The bond we share is unbreakable. And most importantly, thank you to all of Gator Nation. Your strength, passion, and support mean everything to me. You have been a part of everything, you have been part of my family and you will be with me forever. This moment together we will always have a special place in my heart until we see each other again, thank you.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux gives a fan a high-five after the game. The Florida Gators host the Grambling Tigers at the Exactech Area Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)
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Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, playing again as a true freshman during the team’s national championship run and then taking the field on a rehab assignment this past season. He played a total of 15 minutes, finishing with seven points, six rebounds, and an assist.
Rioux became the tallest player to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 win over North Florida last November. He scored three plays later, fouling off a foul play. He also recorded his first rebound.
Rioux is two inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and three inches taller than legendary big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.
Head coach Todd Golden gave Rioux the option to play carefully as a true freshman or take a redshirt season and work on his game. Rioux chose the latter. With all four frontcourt players back, Golden made it clear before the season that Rioux would only play late if hit.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) and Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Hasane Diallo (11) look on during the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament first round game at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, March 20, 2026. (Photos by Matt Pendleton/Imagn)
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But Rioux doubled down on wanting to be in Florida and accepted the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten in practice and after their games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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