The Gator Nation finally got what it had been waiting for on Thursday night.
Florida’s 7-foot-9-inch center, redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux, stepped onto the collegiate parquet during a regular game for the first time ever, entering the action with just over two minutes remaining in UF’s 104-64 rout of the UNF Ospreys. He did not manage to make a mark on the score sheet, but he did do something much bigger than the game itself.
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Rioux, who holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for the world’s tallest teenager, became the tallest person to ever play in a college basketball game when he checked in. The fans had been chanting his name in the waning minutes of the blowout victory and Todd Golden acquiesced to the Rowdy Reptiles’ call.
The previous record holders were 7-foot-7-inch players Kenny George (UNC Asheville Bulldogs, 2006 to 2008) and Mike Lanier, who played for the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys (1988-1990) and UCLA Bruins (1991-1993).
When asked about making history, Rioux simply stated that “It’s another day, I guess.” But getting on the floor alone marked a monumental achievement for the towering center, who already has worldwide recognition for his exceptional growth.
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“It felt great (getting into the game),” he added. “The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even in the fans. Everybody supported me, and I’m very grateful.”
His head coach also offered his perspective during the postgame press conference.
“Obviously, the game was in our control and I thought it would be a good opportunity to get him out there and get his first college experience, and I think he was pretty excited,” Todd Golden offered. “It was pretty neat for him to finally see the floor.”
In comparison to the tallest players to ever play in the NBA, Rioux is 2 inches taller than former NBA giants Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan, and 3 inches taller than well-known centers Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley. The young Canadian still has a long way to go before playing under the biggest lights, but the sky — literally — is the limit for the 19-year-old.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball’s Olivier Rioux makes debut, sets height record
