The whole Olivier Rioux situation is really interesting right now. You don’t see a player of his size hit the transfer portal every day. Actually, you don’t see many 7-foot-9 players, period. After barely getting on the floor with the Florida Gators, Rioux is at a bit of a crossroads, trying to go from a marvel to a legitimate basketball talent.
Up to now, the story has mostly been about his size. But wherever he goes next, it can’t just be that, and he doesn’t want it to be. He’s going to need minutes, reps, and a system that actually lets him figure out how to be a real contributor, not just a curiosity.
Here are a few spots that feel like they could actually make sense for the big man.
Why the Purdue Boilermakers Make Sense for Olivier Rioux
This one almost feels too obvious, but maybe that’s because it works. Purdue head coach Matt Painter has already shown he knows exactly what to do with a big center like Rioux. Just look at what he did with Zach Edey.
Painter turned Edey into the most dominant player in the country, winning National Player of the Year and eventually becoming a lottery draft pick.
The Boilermakers have a system, an identity, and a track record. If Rioux is serious about developing instead of just chasing minutes, this might be the cleanest path.
Could the Florida Atlantic Owls Be the Right Fit?
Not flashy, but honestly? This might be one of the smarter options. FAU believed in Rioux early, and that kind of thing matters more than people think.
MORE: College Basketball 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker: Complete List of Players Who Are Available
It’s a lot easier to grow when a staff already wants you there, not just as a project, but as someone they plan to use.
Most importantly, he’d probably actually play. That alone could make this the best move if the goal is just to get real experience and start figuring things out on the court.
Arkansas Razorbacks: A Gamble Worth Taking?
This one’s a little more of a gamble, but it’s interesting. With Arkansas head coach John Calipari now in the mix and some turnover in the frontcourt, there’s at least a window here.
Guys like Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle moving on leaves a bit of a void. The Razorbacks usually lean guard-heavy, so if Rioux can hold his own at all, there’s a real chance he could carve out a role.
It’s not guaranteed, but the opportunity might be bigger than it looks at first glance.
UConn Huskies Offer Elite Development
If this is about development first and everything else second, UConn is hard to ignore. Huskies head coach Dan Hurley has built something legit, and more importantly, he’s shown he can develop bigs. Donovan Clingan is the recent example everyone points to, and for good reason.
Rioux probably wouldn’t be the focal point right away, but that’s kind of the point.
If he buys into the system, this is the kind of place where he could quietly turn into a much better, more complete player over time.
