Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center from Canada, no longer wants to be considered a social media sensation and “freak show” who plays sparingly for one of the best teams in the nation. Rioux announced Tuesday he is entering the transfer portal, which opens on April 7.
The world’s tallest hooper didn’t see the court much in two seasons with the Gators, despite being the most recognizable player on the team in and around campus and on the streets.
World’s Tallest Basketball Player Hits Transfer Portal
After redshirting as a freshman during the team’s national championship season, Rioux was relegated to mop-up duty in blowout games this season, playing a total of 15 total minutes, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and an assist.
Wasting all of that height is not something Rioux wants to do. Standing almost 8 feet tall, he set a Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest teen before ever stepping on the Gainesville, Florida, campus.
Just 20 years old, the third-year sophomore is looking for an opportunity to show what he can do on the court. Florida is an elite program with the best players in the country stacked and fighting for playing time.
A chance of scenery to a midmajor would probably be the best thing for Rioux and help him show NBA scouts that he’s not just a sideshow but a skilled player with pro potential.
“After taking time to reflect on my journey and what’s best for my future, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal,” Rioux wrote in an Instagram post.
Olivier Rioux Is Tallest Person To Ever Play In College Basketball Game
Rioux became the tallest person to ever participate in an NCAA basketball game when he made his debut during a 104-64 blowout of North Florida last November. Three games later he recorded his first points and rebounds.
Believe it or not, Rioux is 2 inches taller than the tallest players to ever grace an NBA uniform in 7-foot-7 legends Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol. And he’s three inches taller than Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.
Rioux had the option of redshirting and improving or getting minimal minutes as a freshman. Rioux is choosing to play now, and his presence alone made him a viral sensation. No one really cared if he could play hoops or not because he did more than the part and brought a celebrity following to an already successful program. The big fella was known for cruising on his custom-made bike around, ducking under doorways and cutting down nets after championship games without having to stand on a ladder.
Fans React To Florida 7-foot-9 Center Entering Transfer Portal
Some fans blamed Florida’s coaching staff for lack of development.
“He was gracious in his announcement…. but, obviously, the coaching staff has failed… He will find a program that knows big man development and make him a valued member of a winning program, rather than a garbage time second thought who’s on his own,” one observer said.
Most didn’t waste time dwelling on the past, and started suggesting locations where Rioux would be developed and appreciated. Purdue, Michigan State, Houston and UConn were among the destinations schools.
“Purdue often takes projects or mid-tier recruits and turns them into stars through systematic development. Matt Painter’s system emphasizes post play, screening, and physicality, which suits big men well,” said one fan.
“If a big man wants development and play time combined… Purdue is the place for this big man,” suggested another fan on X.
“Other good options,” said a third fan, “is John Calipari (Arkansas), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Kelvin Sampson (Houston).”
“Iowa. they know how to develop and use white guys,” suggested a fourth fan.
“He’d be perfect for the Buckeyes but I think we need a kid with more size,” quipped another netizen.
“Come to UConn, Hurley can actually develop centers,” a netizen on X said.
“He’s tall, not a good player. Can he be developed, absolutely, by the right coach and program. I see him at Purdue, Michigan, UConn, maybe a couple others. As a UT fan, I just don’t see Barnes wanting him. He’s not exactly known for developing bigs. But we’ll see,” one user commented.
“Purdue can develop him. Seems like a Purdue guy,” said another user who was pro-Boilermakers for Rioux’s next destination.
“He should go to UCF. They have experience with Taco Fall already,” one basketball savvy fan suggested.
Other just don’t think he has the skills to play basketball.
“He has no pro potential. He lacks the endurance to play any significant minutes,” one user said. “I really like his personal energy, the fan base and team seem to love him, but he reminds me of Kareem Abdul Jabbar at the end of his career.”
Golden let Rioux know ahead of time that the Gators frontcourt was loaded with studs such as Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten. Battling them in practice sharpened his game without a doubt, and he should be ready to get some real minutes somewhere next season.