Olivier Rioux, the extraordinary 7‑foot‑9 center for the Florida Gators, reached an early career milestone on Wednesday night. In the closing minutes of Florida’s 102‑61 victory over Saint Francis, Rioux received a bounce pass near the rim and powered it down for his first field goal at the collegiate level. The play drew roars from the home crowd and became the most talked‑about moment in an otherwise lopsided contest.
Rioux’s size has made him a unique presence on Florida’s roster. Recognized as the world’s tallest teenager and the tallest player in college basketball, he has been a fan favorite since joining the team. Prior to this game, Rioux had seen limited minutes and had only scored once before on a free throw, also adding his first rebound in earlier appearances.
During Wednesday’s game, Florida built a large lead early, allowing head coach Todd Golden to give bench players extended time. As the clock ticked down, students began chanting for Rioux to enter, and the coach obliged. When Rioux came in, it didn’t take long for him to make an impact, delivering a thunderous dunk that brought teammates and fans to their feet.
The Gators’ performance highlighted both their depth and Rioux’s potential as he continues to develop his skills and carve out his own chapter in college basketball history.