236cm Teenager Becomes Tallest-Ever US College Basketball Player
Canada's Olivier Rioux, standing 236 cm tall, made history as the tallest player ever to compete in US college basketball. The 19-year-old's debut for Florida sparked excitement and a standing ovation during their win over North Florida.
Historic Debut and Crowd Reaction
With 2:09 remaining in the game, Florida coach Todd Golden finally put Rioux on the court after fans loudly chanted "We Want Ollie" during halftime at the O'Connell Center. The game ended in a 104-64 victory for Florida.
"The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I'm very grateful."
Record-Breaking Height
At 236 cm, Rioux surpasses Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, the tallest players in NBA history, by five centimeters. Though he did not touch the ball during the game, his presence drew much attention from opponents like North Florida forward Trey Cady, who joked about the height difference.
"It's another day, I guess."
- Rioux is a 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Canada.
- He is recognized as the world's tallest teenager.
- His debut pushed college basketball's height record higher than ever.
Player and Opponent Reactions
Rioux’s debut brought smiles to many, including Trey Cady of North Florida, who humorously acknowledged the height gap between them.
"Cady was giving up more than a foot in the match-up."
Summary
Olivier Rioux’s towering presence and historic debut electrified college basketball, marking a new milestone for height in the sport.