World’s tallest basketball player, 7-foot-9 Canadian Olivier Rioux, signs with UC Irvine
Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 Canadian basketball player and former Florida walk-on, has transferred to UC Irvine to continue his college career. Despite limited playing time at Florida, where he redshirted one season and appeared in mop-up duty the next, Rioux made history as the tallest player in college basketball. UC Irvine's coaching staff expressed confidence in his potential to contribute immediately and grow within their program.
- ▪Olivier Rioux is a 7-foot-9 center from Terrebonne, Quebec, and one of the tallest known basketball players in the world.
- ▪He played sparingly at the University of Florida, logging 15 total minutes over two seasons while redshirting during their national championship run.
- ▪Rioux set a Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest teenager and made his college debut in November, becoming the tallest person ever to play NCAA basketball.
- ▪He transferred to UC Irvine, where he is expected to have more playing opportunities under coach Russell Turner.
- ▪Rioux is taller than former NBA players Gheorghe Muresan, Manute Bol, Yao Ming, Tacko Fall, and Shawn Bradley.
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Open this photo in gallery:Florida centre Olivier Rioux (32) smiles following his team's win over Mississippi State last month in Gainesville, Fla.Morgan Hurd/The Associated PressShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountThe world’s tallest college basketball player is going coast to coast.Former Florida walk-on Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 centre from Terrebonne, Que. and one of the most recognizable student-athletes in North America, announced Thursday he has signed with UC Irvine. The school in Southern California announced his arrival hours earlier.“Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community,” UC Irvine coach Russell Turner said in a statement.
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