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Florida center Olivier Rioux made history during the team’s 102-61 victory over Saint Francis on Wednesday night when the world’s tallest teenager scored his first collegiate field goal in the final minutes of the game.
The Canadian phenom, already a fan favorite, entered the game in the final two minutes of the contest, drawing loud applause from the crowd, who earlier in the night began chanting “We Want Ollie!”
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) shoots the ball against Saint Francis during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Gainesville, Florida, on Dec. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Hurd)
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With 43 seconds left, Rioux caught a rebound pass from teammate CJ Ingram and dunked, his feet barely leaving the ground in the process.
At 7 feet 9 inches, he became the tallest player in college basketball history to score a field goal.
“Pretty special, man,” Gators coach Todd Golden said after the contest. “The transition, his vertical. Woo. He was up there, man.”
North Florida guard Dante Oliver, left, and North Florida forward Nestor Dyachok, right, guard against Florida center Olivier Rioux, center, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Gainesville, Florida, on Nov. 6, 2025. (Chris Watkins/AP Photo)
THE WORLD’S TALLEST TEENAGER, OLIVIER RIOUX, MAKES COLLEGE BASKETBALL HISTORY FOR THE FLORIDA GATORS
“We were going crazy,” added Florida guard Xaivian Lee, who led the team with 18 points.
Rioux, 19, made history last month when he became the tallest college basketball player in history in his debut with the Gators. With his height difficult to miss on the court, Rioux did not touch the ball in that game but scored three games later, converting a free throw.
Olivier Rioux (32) of the Florida Gators looks on from the bench during the first half of a Hall of Fame Series game against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 3, 2025. The Wildcats defeated the Gators 93-87. (David Becker/Getty Images)
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“It felt great,” Rioux said after his debut. “Everyone’s support was incredible, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everyone supported me. I’m very grateful.”
