7-Foot-9 Rioux Debuts as Tallest in NCAA Tournament

Olivier Rioux, a 20-year-old Canadian center standing at 7 feet 9 inches, made history in the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2026, becoming the tallest player ever to appear in the event during the Florida Gators' dominant 114-55 first-round victory over Prairie View A&M at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

The redshirt freshman from Terrebonne, Quebec, checked into the game with 1:54 remaining, drawing thunderous cheers from the crowd that had been chanting "We want Ollie" in the closing minutes of the blowout. Rioux quickly grabbed an offensive rebound and powered home a putback dunk with minimal effort, scoring his first career NCAA Tournament points and igniting a frenzy among fans and teammates alike. The moment, highlighting his extraordinary reach, spread rapidly across social media, amplifying interest in the towering athlete who has captivated basketball audiences with his rare physical presence.

Rioux's path to this stage began in childhood, when he already measured 6 feet 1 inch at age 8. By 15, he had reached 7 feet 5 inches, earning a Guinness World Record as the tallest teenager in the world. His growth continued through high school at IMG Academy in Florida, where he...