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UC School Lands Tallest Basketball Player Ever
TL;DR
UC Irvine has secured the tallest player in basketball history, 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux, who transferred from Florida. Rioux, a rising sophomore, has three years of NCAA eligibility remaining.
Key points
- Olivier Rioux is 7-foot-9 tall
- He transferred from Florida to UC Irvine
- Rioux has three seasons of NCAA eligibility
- He holds the Guinness World Record for tallest teenager
- Rioux consumes 5,000 to 6,000 calories daily
Mentioned in this story
UC IrvineFlorida
Olivier Rioux
UC Irvine is adding the tallest player in both collegiate and professional basketball to its roster next season.
Former Florida center Olivier Rioux, who stands at 7-foot-9 and 305 pounds, announced that he committed to UC Irvine on Thursday. He is a rising sophomore with three more seasons of NCAA eligibility.
7’9” Sophomore center Olivier Rioux is Transfering to UC Irvine for next season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Z751EBcD20
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) April 30, 2026
Rioux holds the official Kids Guinness World Record for tallest teenager. His father is 6-foot-8, his mother 6-foot-2 and his older brother is 6-foot-9.
“I wear size 20 shoes,” Rioux told ESPN in January. “I eat 5,000 to 6,000 calories every day.”
Rioux is joining the Anteaters with hopes of making a bigger impact on the court than he did with Florida. While playing for one of the top men’s basketball programs in the nation, Rioux averaged just 1.5 minutes across 11 games throughout the entire season.
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) looks to pass in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Q&A
Who is the tallest basketball player in history?
The tallest basketball player in history is Olivier Rioux, who stands at 7-foot-9.
What college is Olivier Rioux transferring to?
Olivier Rioux is transferring to UC Irvine for the upcoming season.
How many years of eligibility does Olivier Rioux have left?
Olivier Rioux has three more seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining.
