In a moment that electrified the home crowd, Olivier Rioux, the Florida Gators' towering 7ft 9in centre, scored his first collegiate field goal with a powerful dunk during a commanding victory.
A Memorable Moment for the World's Tallest Teenager
The historic play unfolded during the 23rd-ranked Gators' 102-61 blowout win against Saint Francis on Wednesday night. Rioux, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Canada, lumbered into the lane, caught a bounce pass from teammate CJ Ingram, and slammed the ball home, barely needing to leave the floor. The basket sent the team's bench and fans at the Exactech Arena into a frenzy.
"Pretty special, man," said Gators coach Todd Golden, marvelling at the play. "The transition, his vertical. Woo. He was up there, man." The dunk provided the most memorable highlight in a game where Florida dominated every aspect, marking their first home contest in nearly a month.
The Patient Path of a Record-Breaking Prospect
Rioux's journey to this point has been one of patience and development. Upon signing with Florida in 2024, Coach Golden presented him with a choice: play sparingly immediately or take a redshirt year to focus intensely on improving his game. Rioux chose the latter, dedicating his first season to rigorous practice.
His stature alone has made him a viral sensation, from navigating campus on a bike to ducking under doorways. He officially became the tallest person ever to play college basketball when he debuted in a 104-64 win over North Florida in early November. That initial appearance saw him so heavily marked that he didn't even touch the ball.
His first points came three games later via a free throw, but the dunk against Saint Francis was a clear demonstration of his potential on the court. Rioux stands two inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, and three inches above Yao Ming, Tacko Fall, and Shawn Bradley.
Earning His Place on a Stacked Roster
Despite his unique physical advantages, Rioux faces fierce competition for playing time. Coach Golden has been clear that the Canadian's minutes will be limited, a result of having all four frontcourt players from last season return. However, Rioux embraced the challenge, choosing to stay and develop at Florida, practising against established players like Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh.
His teammates celebrated his milestone dunk with unbridled joy. "We were just going crazy," said guard Xaivian Lee, who led the team with 18 points. Teammate Alex Condon, who had a strong all-around game, joked, "Good pass from CJ."
For now, Rioux's appearances will likely remain confined to the closing minutes of one-sided games as he continues to build his stamina and refine his skills. But for one night in Gainesville, the gentle giant provided a towering highlight that fans and his team will not soon forget.
