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The tallest player in college basketball history is looking for a new home.
Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 Florida center who was with the program when they won the national championship last year, is entering the transfer portal, the 20-year-old announced Tuesday morning.
Rioux redshirted last season and barely played this year, making 11 appearances but playing no more than two minutes in any game.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) prepares to sub in during the second half against Prairie View A&M on March 20, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images“It’s truly hard to put into words what these last two years and this experience has meant to me,” Rioux wrote in an Instagram post. “From being raised in the province of Quebec back home in Canada, to representing this incredible program, wearing these colors and competing at the highest level has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
“After taking time to reflect on my journey and what’s best for my future, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal.”
Rioux, who has played for Canada’s national teams at the youth level, officially became the tallest player to ever appear in an NCAA game when he made his debut on Nov. 6 during a blowout win over North Florida.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) dunks during the second half against Prairie View A&M on March 20, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesHe did make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament this month, a brief cameo at the end of Florida’s 114-55 win over No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M. He dunked with 1:13 left in the game, sending his teammates on the bench into a frenzy.
The No. 1 Gators were then upset by No. 9 Iowa in the second round, ending their March Madness repeat bid early.
Rioux, who averaged 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds in just 1.5 minutes per game, thanked head coach Todd Golden and associate head coach Carlin Hartman for “believing in me, for trusting me, and for pushing me to develop every single day.”
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