Olivier Rioux makes history in Florida victory with first field goal
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Florida center Olivier Rioux made history Wednesday night during the team’s 102-61 win over Saint Francis when the world’s tallest junior scored his first collegiate goal in the final minutes of the game.
Already a fan favourite, the Canadian phenom came on in the final two minutes of the contest, drawing loud cheers from the crowd and chants of “We want Ollie!” earlier in the night. He started chanting slogans.
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) dunks against Saint Francis during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on December 17, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (AP Photo/Morgan Hurd)
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With 43 seconds left, Rioux caught a bounce pass from teammate CJ Ingram and dunked; Meanwhile, his feet barely left the ground.
With his height of 2.80, he became the tallest player to shoot in university basketball history.
“Pretty special, man,” Gators coach Todd Golden said after the contest. “Transition, vertical. Woo. It was there, man.”
North Florida guard Dante Oliver (left) and North Florida forward Nestor Dyachok (right) defend against Florida center Olivier Rioux during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on November 6, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Chris Watkins/AP Photo)
OLIVIER RIOUX, THE TALLEST YOUTH IN THE WORLD, MAKES COLLEGE BASKETBALL HISTORY FOR THE FLORIDA GATORS
“We were going crazy,” added Florida guard Xaivian Lee, who led the team with 18 points.
Rioux, 19, made history by becoming the tallest college basketball player ever when he made his debut for the Gators last month. Rioux didn’t touch the ball in that game, with his unmissable height on the court, but he scored a free throw three plays later.
Olivier Rioux (32) of the Florida Gators looks on from the bench during the first half of the Hall of Fame Series game against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena on November 3, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats defeated the Gators 93-87. (David Becker/Getty Images)
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“It was a great feeling,” Rioux said after his debut. “The support from everyone was incredible, on the bench and even from the fans. I think everyone supported me. I’m so grateful.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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