236cm teenager becomes tallest-ever US college basketball player

236cm Teenager Becomes Tallest-Ever US College Basketball Player

Olivier Rioux, a 19-year-old Canadian, made history by becoming the tallest person to play college basketball in the United States. Standing at 236cm, Rioux surpassed Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, who are the tallest players in NBA history by 5 centimeters.

Historic Debut for Florida

Rioux received a standing ovation when he entered the game with just two minutes remaining, helping Florida secure a 104-64 win over North Florida. Fans at the O'Connell Center chanted, "We Want Ollie," urging Florida coach Todd Golden to put him in during halftime.

Game Impact and Reaction

Although Rioux did not touch the ball during the game, his presence drew significant attention from the opposing team, the Ospreys.

"The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I'm very grateful." — Olivier Rioux

"It's another day, I guess." — Rioux on making history

Opposing Player's Reaction

North Florida forward Trey Cady couldn’t help but smirk while measuring himself against Rioux, who towered over him by more than a foot.

Summary

Olivier Rioux’s debut as the tallest college basketball player in US history sparked excitement and admiration both on and off the court.

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ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) — 2025-11-07