By Rolando RosaShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberNo. 10 Florida cruised to an 80-45 victory vs. visiting Merrimack on Friday night for a fourth consecutive win after its season-opener loss vs. Arizona. Freshman center Olivier Rioux delivered the most noteworthy moment of the rout for the defending national champions.
The 7-foot-9 Rioux, the tallest player in college basketball history, scored his first career point on the second of two free throw attempts with 1:24 left in the game. Rioux reached the line after being fouled on a deep post-up attempt.
The 19-year-old from Quebec, Canada, previously became the tallest player in an NCAA basketball game with a two-minute stint against North Florida on Nov. 6. Rioux surpassed UNC Asheville's Kenny George (2006-2008) and Hardin-Simmons/UCLA's Mike Lanier (1988-1993), each of whom were listed at 7-foot-7, according to ESPN.
Rioux also has the Guinness World Record as being the tallest teenager in the world.
Loading twitter content...
More news: Florida and Ole Miss Reportedly Match LSU’s Massive Offer for Lane Kiffin
Rioux has seen limited action this season, appearing in five minutes with averages of 0.5 points and 0.5 rebounds. However, Florida head coach Todd Golden was complimentary of Rioux for his effort in the short span vs. Merrimack.
Image placeholder..."I thought he did a good job getting to the foul line, really proud that he made one," Golden said via SI.com. "There wasn't a lot there, probably five possessions, but he did the best he could do in those minutes."
Rioux has captured a pair of bronze medals for Canada in FIBA AmeriCup play, first for the Under-16 category in 2021 and then for the Under-18 group in 2024.
Rioux joined Florida as a preferred walk-on last season after committing on Nov. 8, 2023. Rioux played in high school at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He was regarded by 247Sports as the No. 61 center nationally and the No. 30 in-state prospect for the Class of 2024.
More news: Pat McAfee Sends Clear Message to Lane Kiffin Amid Florida, LSU Rumors
Next up for Rioux and Florida is a game vs. TCU on Nov. 27, part of the Rady Children's Invitational in San Diego, California.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NCAAOhio State Gets Brutal Injury News on Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate2 min read
NCAALSU Finalizing $90 Million Contract for Lane Kiffin3 min read
NCAAKalen DeBoer-Penn State Rumors Get Major Update From CFB Insider3 min read
NCAAJames Franklin Reveals What Sold Him on Virginia Tech Job3 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Hawaii vs UNLV: Live Stream NCAA College Football, TV Channel3 min read
NCAAAlabama, Kalen DeBoer Receive Brutal College Football Playoff Outlook3 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsIsraeli Strikes Kill at Least Two Dozen in Gaza Amid Fragile Ceasefire5 min read
NewsUncommon Knowledge: Mamdani and MTG, Two Sides of the Same Coin5 min read
PoliticsBomb Threats Target Democratic Lawmakers After Trump ‘Traitors’ Posts6 min read
NewsDonald Trump Reacts To Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Resignation4 min read
NewsBolsonaro Arrested in Alleged Plot to Escape Prison Sentence4 min read
PoliticsRepublicans Are Facing a Generational Rift5 min readTrending
Higher EducationFull List of Degrees Not Classed As ‘Professional’ by Trump Admin8 min read
Winter StormWinter Storm Warning As 18 Inches of Snow To Hit5 min read
NursesNursing Is No Longer Counted as a ‘Professional Degree’ by Trump Admin7 min read
Product recallAmazon Recall: Threat-To-Life Warning Issued For Items Pulled Nationwide4 min read
Donald TrumpDonald Trump Faces Articles of Impeachment Before Christmas3 min readOpinion
OpinionConventional Wisdom: Price of Culture Edition3 min read
OpinionLatinos Catch the Fish. Why Aren’t They at the Decision-Making Table? | Opinion5 min read
OpinionWhy Is the US Punishing Legal Immigrants? | Opinion5 min read
OpinionWhat Is an American?6 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: MAGA Infighting Edition2 min read
