7-Foot-9 Olivier Rioux Is Leaving Florida for UC Irvine and College Basketball Will Never Be the Same

The tallest player in college basketball history just packed his bags and left Gainesville. Olivier Rioux, a towering 7-foot-9, has committed to UC Irvine after barely getting off the bench at Florida. He announced the move on Instagram, and honestly, it makes complete sense when you look at what's waiting for him back with the Gators.

Why He's Running From a National Title Team

Florida is about to be the talk of the college hoops world. The program finished 27-8 last season and ranked No. 9 in the final AP poll, and they're getting stronger. Star players Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon are both returning, and Rueben Chinyelu is expected to withdraw from the NBA draft and stick around. That's a loaded roster, and there's essentially zero chance Rioux cracks the starting lineup next season.

Last year, Rioux appeared in 11 games for the Gators, scoring seven points. Coach Todd Golden said he lacked the stamina to play extended minutes, which is why the redshirt sophomore decided to enter the portal and search for more playing time. Can you blame him? He's a walk-on who made history just by stepping on the court.

The Guy Who Dunks Without Jumping

Here's what makes Rioux special: he dunks without jumping. His first college field goal came against Saint Francis in December 2025, and he delivered a signature moment during March Madness with an offensive rebound and put-back dunk. He's fun to watch regardless of dominance, and UC Irvine just landed him.

The Anteaters will be hoping Rioux makes an impact similar to what Mamadou Ndiaye delivered from 2014 to 2016. Ndiaye, who stood 7-foot-6, became a decorated center and was twice named Big West defensive player of the year. He helped Irvine win a Big West Conference title and reach the NCAA tournament, then played five years in the NBA. Rioux is one of only three college basketball players in history taller than Ndiaye.

UC Irvine went 32-7 last season and won the Big West regular-season title, though they fell to Hawaii in the conference tournament. Rioux brings serious size and a Guinness World Record for tallest teenager. This is must-watch stuff.

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