Social media went into a frenzy when the 7-foot-9-inch Florida redshirt freshman became the tallest player to ever score in a college basketball game when he scored his first career point on Wednesday, Dec. 17, in a 102-61 win over Saint Francis.
The crowd went wild when Rioux, 19, knocked down a dunk with 42 seconds left in the game.
Florida’s bench erupted after the score, with one player on the field even bowing, and the home fans roared with a standing ovation, some jumping up and down.
Florida has two more non-conference matchups against Colgate on Sunday, Dec. 21 and Dartmouth on Dec. 29 before beginning SEC play, likely representing the last chances for Rioux to take the floor this year.
The 19-year-old Canadian had become the tallest player to play on a college course when he made his debut last month.
Rioux had previously held the world’s tallest teenager record by Guinness World Records back in 2021 when he was measured at 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m).
Could Rioux make it in the NBA?
Well, there is a long road ahead for Rioux to make a successful debut in the NBA.
If he truly aims to break into the top level of the game, Rioux will need to stand out from his competition in more ways than just height.
NBA’s Tallest Player – Victor Wembanyama
That buzzer from France is Victor Wembanyama, 21, who is the NBA’s tallest player at 2.24m from the San Antonio Spurs.
Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies is next in line, with the 23-year-old standing at 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m).
The NBA’s website lists three other players at 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m).
They are Donovan Clingan, a 23-year-old from the Portland Trail Blazers, 24-year-old Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz and Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks.
The tallest players ever in NBA history are listed as Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan, both of whom were measured at 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m).
Bol’s NBA tenure lasted from 1985 to 1997, while Muresan, nicknamed “The Giant”, was active from 1991 to 2001.
