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The world’s tallest college basketball player, Olivier Rioux, has officially signed with UC Irvine, bringing his 7-foot-9 frame from Florida to Southern California. Rioux, a center from Canada and one of the most recognizable student-athletes in North America, announced his transfer on Instagram Thursday (April 30), while the university confirmed his arrival earlier that day.
Rioux played for Florida, redshirting during the Gators’ 2025 national championship season and appearing in 11 games last season. Despite limited minutes, he made history as the tallest player ever to score in a Division I game. Rioux’s search for more playing time led him to enter the transfer portal in late March.
UC Irvine’s head coach, Russell Turner, praised Rioux in a statement, saying, "Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community. Olivier’s unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program. We believe he will have an immediate impact and continue to grow within our system, and we are thrilled to have him join the Anteater family."
Before joining college basketball, Rioux was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest teenager. Now 20 years old and a redshirt sophomore, he is two inches taller than former NBA players Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and surpasses Yao Ming, Tacko Fall, and Shawn Bradley by three inches.
UC Irvine, which won the Big West Conference regular season title last season but fell short in the conference tournament, is hoping Rioux’s addition will help the Anteaters reach their first NCAA tournament since 2019. The school has experience with remarkably tall players, including former 7-foot-6 center Mamadou Ndiaye, but Rioux stands even taller.