7-foot-9 Florida transfer Olivier Rioux dazzles in UC Irvine debut, becomes tallest player to start game

Olivier Rioux, who is the tallest player in Division I basketball at 7-feet-9, made his debut with his new team on Tuesday during UC Irvine's 92-66 win over Chapman (Division III).

Rioux, who transferred from Florida to UCI this offseason after spending his first two seasons with the Gators, including Florida's 2025 national title run, became the tallest player in college basketball history to start a Division I game. He finished with a double-double, recording 13 points and 12 rebounds, along with a block.

Rioux was 6 of 9 from the floor and logged 18 minutes in the blowout win.

Rioux's first made field goal of the game came less than two minutes in when he caught the ball deep in the post and laid it up easily over the defender. Later in the game, Rioux — who can touch the rim with his standing reach alone — looked like he was dunking on a mini hoop and didn't have to jump when he threw down a one-handed dunk.

7'9'' Olivier Rioux is playing on a mini hoop 😭Dunked it from behind the basket 😂 pic.twitter.com/GAc0ZwwnWu

After beginning his career as a preferred walk-on with Florida, Rioux transferred to UC…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/