The tallest player in the history of March Madness has officially chosen his new school for his next opportunity. Canadian center Olivier Rioux, who stands at an astonishing 7-foot-9, has committed to mid-major powerhouse UC Irvine, as announced on his Instagram account.
Rioux's Departure from Florida
Rioux previously played at the University of Florida, where he received minimal playing time behind a frontcourt featuring stars Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon. During the 2025-26 season, he appeared in just eleven contests, averaging fewer than two minutes per game and scoring only seven points in total.
A New Home at UC Irvine
Now, the Canadian giant will join an Anteaters team that nearly made the NCAA Tournament last season. Under head coach Russel Turner, UC Irvine has won three of the last four Big West regular season titles. However, they have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2019. Last season, they compiled a 23-12 record, lost the Big West Championship game to Hawai'i, and subsequently fell to UNLV in the first round of the NIT.
Historic March Madness Moment
Rioux set the record for being the tallest player in NCAA Tournament history when he checked into Florida's first-round game against Prairie View A&M. Fans at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa began chanting 'We want Ollie' during the game, encouraging head coach Todd Golden to bring in the native of Terrebonne, Quebec. Golden granted the fans their wish, and Rioux entered the game to thunderous cheers and applause. After he checked in, Prairie View A&M junior forward Hassane Diallo was seen staring up at the Quebecois giant in awe.
Rioux contributed a small piece to the Gators' dominant 114-55 victory over the Panthers, logging two points, two rebounds, and an assist. He managed a put-back dunk to score his two points in the blowout win. However, he did not contribute when Florida lost a stunning upset to nine-seed Iowa in the second round, ending their attempt at winning back-to-back national championships.
Looking Ahead
Rioux will now look to make a bigger impact with UC Irvine as they aim to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. His presence on the court will undoubtedly draw attention, and the Anteaters hope his size can be a game-changer in the Big West Conference.
