Olivier Rioux electrified the crowd on Nov. 6 when he stepped onto the court during Florida’s 104-64 rout of North Florida with just 2:09 left. Though the 19-year-old Rioux, recognized as the world’s tallest teenager, didn’t touch the ball, the fans at Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville roared, fired up just to see him in action.
Just over two weeks later, the 7’9″ center played in the Gators’ 80-45 win over Merrimack. Coach Todd Golden put the freshman center in with 2:26 remaining. This time, Rioux touched the ball for the first time, drove to the basket, was fouled, and made one free throw for his first college point, exciting Florida fans.
What Do Florida Fans Say About Olivier Rioux’s First Point of His College Basketball Career?
Florida fans, who witnessed history unfurl after the tallest player in NCAA Division I history made his much-awaited debut against North Florida, had twice the thrill when they saw Rioux make the back end of his foul shots. It was his first point of his collegiate career, and he hauled down a rebound for good measure.
Gators diehards stepped in to the madness, as they commented on Rioux’s historic night on social media. One fan wrote, “That’s not a freshman … that’s a skyscraper with sneakers.”
Rioux, who is five inches taller than 7’4″ Purdue center Daniel Jacobsen, is definitely a human skyscraper with his lanky frame, and what’s scary is he’s just a freshman after redshirting last season to polish his skills.
Another user pointed out that his imposing stature has a distinct edge, saying, “He doesn’t even have to jump to dunk.”
A college basketball enthusiast who happens to be a Florida fan depicted Rioux as an imposing behemoth playing in a kids’ court. He said, “7’9″ is ridiculous. Looks like he is playing in a kids toy court shooting that free throw.”
Another fan was amazed with how the ball looked like when Rioux shoots the charities and opined, “Ball looks so tiny in his hands when he’s shooting that FT lmao.”
Finally, a Florida hoops follower expects the future to be bright for the Canadian teener, noting: “If he’s this good already, defenses are about to have nightmares for the next 4 years 👀🏀.”
Rioux’s continued development under Florida coach Golden continues as he tries to get acclimatized with the college basketball setting. The Canadian beanpole will expect growing pains in his ascent to the top, as he aspires to be one of the top centers in NCAA Division I and possibly in the pro ranks as well.
After the game against Merrimack, Rioux and the Gators are set to take the court on Thursday, Nov. 27, for the start of the Rady’s Children’s Invitational mini-tournament at Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego, California. Florida opens the four-team tournament against TCU in the semifinals, with the winner facing the victor of the Providence-Wisconsin tussle on Nov. 28.
The No. 10 Gators are expected to move up the AP Top 25 rankings after two wins during the week against Miami and Merrimack.
