7-Foot-9 Rioux Transfers to UC Irvine from Florida

Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 center recognized as the tallest player in college basketball history, has committed to transfer to the University of California, Irvine, from Florida, the school announced this week.

The 20-year-old Canadian from Quebec made the announcement on Instagram after entering the transfer portal last month. Rioux, who holds a Guinness World Record as the world's tallest teenager at age 15 when he measured 7-foot-5, joins UC Irvine as a third-year sophomore seeking more playing time. At Florida, he appeared in just 11 games over two seasons, averaging 1.5 minutes per game last year with seven total points, six rebounds and one assist across 15 minutes of action. He redshirted his true freshman year during the Gators' 2025 national championship season and saw limited mop-up duty behind a deep frontcourt the following year.

UC Irvine Coach Russell Turner, who has led the program since 2010, praised the addition in a statement. "Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community," Turner said. "He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine. We've built a strong relationship with...