Tallest college basketball player in history joins UC Irvine

The tallest player in college basketball history has found a new home.

Former Florida center Olivier Rioux announced Thursday he has signed with UC Irvine.

The 7-foot-9 Rioux was a fan favorite for the Gators because of his towering frame. He went from the world’s tallest teenager (7-foot-5 at age 16) to the tallest player to appear in a college basketball game, score in a game and make a field goal in a game. In March, his put-back dunk was a triumphant moment in Florida’s first-round blowout of Prairie View A&M.

Although the Canadian worked on his speed during his two seasons at Florida, he played sparingly. Over 11 games, he totaled 7 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist.

Rioux entered the transfer portal in March. He’ll join an Anteaters team that went 23-12 last season and won the Big West’s regular-season title.

“We are excited to welcome Olivier Rioux to our program,” Anteaters coach Russell Turner said in a statement. “Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community. He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine.

“We’ve built a strong relationship with Olivier and his family over the years, dating back to his high school recruitment, and that familiarity gives us tremendous belief in who he is both on and off the court. Olivier’s unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program. We believe he will have an immediate impact and continue to grow within our system, and we are thrilled to have him join the Anteater family.”

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This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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