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The average height of a men’s basketball program will increase significantly next season.
That’s because Olivier Rioux, the tallest college basketball player in history, is transferring 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 develop every day,” as well as “coaches, managers and support staff.”
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Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux enters the play for Florida Gators guard Urban Klavzar during the 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 the time “to reflect on my jersey and what’s best for my future.”
“It is truly difficult to put into words what these last two years and this experience have meant to me. From growing up in the province of Quebec in Canada to representing this incredible program, wearing these colors and competing at the highest level has been one of the greatest honors of my life…” Rioux wrote.
“Winning the national championship last year was a dream come true for all of us. It’s something we work for every day, and experiencing that moment 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 the legacy we are so proud to represent. And to my teammates, my brothers, thank you for every moment, every battle, every joke and every memory. The bond we share is untouchable. And most importantly, thank you to all of Gator Nation. Your energy, passion and support mean the world to me. You have supported me through all of this and I will be forever grateful to be a part of this family. This time together will always be a great moment for me. I will have a special place in my heart until Let’s meet again. Thank you, mercy.”
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux high-fives a fan after the game. The Florida Gators hosted the Grambling Tigers at the Exactech area of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida, on Monday, November 11, 2024. (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)
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Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then taking the field on mop-up duty last season. He played 15 minutes in total, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and one assist.
Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 win over North Florida last November. He scored three games later, making a free throw after being fouled. 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 popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.
Head coach Todd Golden gave Rioux the option to play sparingly as a true freshman or take a redshirt season and work on his game. Rioux chose the latter. After all four frontcourt players returned, Golden made it clear before the season that Rioux would only play late in blowouts.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) and Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Hassane Diallo (11) watch during a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on March 20, 2026. (Matt Pendleton/Image Images)
But Rioux doubled down on his desire to be in Florida and accepted the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.
