236cm teenager becomes tallest-ever US college basketball player

236cm Teenager Becomes Tallest-Ever US College Basketball Player

Olivier Rioux, a 19-year-old Canadian standing 236cm tall, made college basketball history by becoming the tallest player ever to compete in the United States. He debuted for Florida in a 104-64 win over North Florida.

Historic Debut and Crowd Reaction

When Rioux entered the game with just over two minutes left, the crowd at the O'Connell Center gave him a standing ovation. Chants of "We Want Ollie" filled the arena, urging Florida coach Todd Golden to bring the 236cm centre onto the court.

"The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I'm very grateful." – Olivier Rioux

Comparison to NBA Legends

Rioux is five centimetres taller than Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, the tallest players in NBA history.
Despite his imposing height, he did not touch the ball during his debut as opponents focused heavily on him.

Reactions and Reflections

Rioux remained humble about his record-breaking debut:

"It's another day, I guess." – Olivier Rioux

Even North Florida forward Trey Cady, who faced Rioux, smiled as he compared their height difference, conceding more than a foot.

Summary

Olivier Rioux’s historic appearance as the tallest college basketball player captivated fans and marked a unique milestone in US college basketball history.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation — 2025-11-07