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The average height of a men’s basketball program will increase significantly next season.
That’s because Olivier Rioux, the tallest college basketball player of all time, is transferring from the University of Florida.
The 20-year-old, 9-foot-9, announced his decision in an Instagram post, thanking his coaches for “believing in me, for having confidence in me and for pushing me to develop every single day,” as well as “coaches, managers and support staff.”
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Center Olivier Rioux of the Florida Gators checks into the game for guard Urban Klavzar of the Florida Gators during the college basketball game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs on February 11, 2026 at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Rioux said he took time “to reflect on my jersey and what is best for my future.”
“It’s really hard to put into words what the last two years and this experience have meant to me. From being raised in the province of Quebec back home in Canada, to representing this incredible program, wearing these colors and competing at the highest level has been one of the greatest honors of my life…” Rioux wrote.
“Winning the national championship last year was a dream come true for all of us. It’s something we worked for every single day and experiencing that moment together is something I will cherish forever. I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my life.
“To the alumni and Florida Victorious, thank you for building the legacy that we are so proud to represent. And to my teammates, my brothers, thank you for every moment, every game, every joke and every memory. The bond we share is untouchable. And most importantly, thank you to the entire Gator Nation. Your energy, passion and support mean everything to me. You have always been grateful to me. You have always been grateful to me. This family will always have a special place in my heart until we meet again.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux gives a fan a high-five after the game. The Florida Gators hosted the Grambling Tigers in the Exactech Area of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida on Monday, November 11, 2024. (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)
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Rioux played sparingly for two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then coming on the field in mop-up duty this past season. He played a total of 15 minutes and finished with seven points, six rebounds and one assist.
Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 win over North Florida last November. He scored three plays later, making a free throw after being fouled. He also recorded his first rebound.
Rioux is two inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and three inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.
Head coach Todd Golden gave Rioux the option to play sparingly as a true freshman or take a redshirt season and work on his game. Rioux chose the latter. After all four frontcourt players returned, Golden made it clear before the season that Rioux would only play late in blowouts.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) and Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Hassane Diallo (11) look on during a first round match of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida on March 20, 2026. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)
But Rioux doubled down on wanting to be in Florida and welcomed the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.
