7-Foot-9 and Still Growing: The Tallest Player in College Basketball History Is Real

Olivier Rioux just became the tallest college basketball player Division I has ever seen, and it's not even close. The 7-foot-9 center from Montreal is now officially taller than every giant who came before him in the sport's history.

Rioux started his college career with the Florida Gators back in November 2025, redshirting his freshman year before actually taking the court. Now in 2026, he's made the jump to UC Irvine, and he's already cementing his legacy as a generational anomaly. The guy already had a Guinness Book of World Records title as the World's Tallest Teenager under his belt before he ever stepped foot on a college court. He played high school ball at IMG Academy in Florida, which tells you everything you need to know about where the elite talent gravitates.

Breaking Into Rare Air

Let's put this in perspective. Rioux is stepping into a club of absolute giants, though he's towering over everyone who came before him. The previous tallest players in Division I history read like a who's who of basketball anomalies: Kenny George at 7-7 who played for UNC Asheville between 2006-2008, and a handful of other 7-6 monsters like John Hollinden, Mamadou Ndiaye, Neil Fingleton, Shawn Bradley, and Tacko Fall.

There are several 7-5 players still making waves too. Trent Burns is currently playing for Missouri in 2025, and there's a whole list of other giants who've come through Division I over the years. But at 7-foot-9, Rioux isn't just taller than all of them. He's in a league of his own.

What Comes Next

The question now is what Rioux can actually do with this rare gift at UC Irvine. Being the tallest player in Division I history is a headline, but can he back it up on the court? That's the real story to watch as the season unfolds. For college basketball fans everywhere, this is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete who might reshape how we think about size and athleticism in the sport.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.