Olivier Rioux makes history in UC Irvine debut as tallest player to start a Division I game

Olivier Rioux made his official debut with UC Irvine on Tuesday, playing a key role in a 92-66 victory over Chapman, a Division III opponent. Standing at 7 feet and 9 inches, Rioux is currently the tallest player in Division I basketball. His appearance in this game marked a historic moment, as he became the tallest player in the history of college basketball to start a Division I contest.

The forward had a productive performance in his first game for the Anteaters. Rioux recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. He also contributed one block to his stat line. His efficiency was notable, as he shot 6 for 9 from the field during the 18 minutes he spent on the court in the blowout win.

Rioux’s impact was evident early in the contest. Less than two minutes into the game, he caught the ball deep in the post and scored with an easy layup over his defender. Later in the match, his physical advantage was on full display. Rioux, who can touch the rim with his standing reach alone, executed a one-handed dunk that required minimal vertical jump, appearing to throw the ball into a standard hoop rather than a mini one.

The player arrived at UC Irvine during the offseason after transferring from the University of Florida. He spent his first two seasons with the Gators, including a run to the 2025 national title. However, his path to consistent playing time at Florida was limited by a deep frontcourt. The Gators retained Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, and Rueben Chinyelu, a group widely considered the strongest and most experienced starting frontcourt in the country.

At Florida, Rioux began his career as a preferred walk-on. He appeared in 11 games during the 2025-26 season. Despite the limited minutes, he made history last season by becoming the tallest player in college basketball history to score a basket at any level. His transfer to UCI appears to offer him a more prominent role, as he logged more minutes in his single debut game in Irvine than in his entire two-year career in Gainesville.

Rioux’s height has been a subject of record-breaking attention for years. In 2021, Guinness World Records declared him the tallest teenager in the world when he was measured at 7 feet and 5 inches. He has since grown to his current height, which has led to several unique moments in his career.

One such moment occurred during the 2025 Elite Eight when Florida defeated Texas Tech. To illustrate just how tall he is, Rioux did not need to use a ladder to cut down the nets after the victory. His presence on the court continues to draw attention, and his move to UC Irvine suggests he will have even more opportunities to showcase his unique abilities in the upcoming season.