GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux made his long-awaited, hard-earned debut to become the tallest player in college basketball history on Thursday night.
With the No. 3 Gators’ 104-64 win against North Florida well in hand, many among a reported crowd of 10,065 began to chant, “Oli, Oli, Oli,” — the nickname given the world’s tallest teenager and fan favorite despite having not played since he arrived in the summer of 2024.
Coach Todd Golden answered the calls with UF leading 102-61 and 2:09 remaining, much to the delight of the packed house at the O’Connell Center for the unveiling of the 2025 championship banner.