The tallest college basketball player in history is coming to Orange County, as 7-foot-9 inch Canadian-born Olivier Rioux announced his intention to play for UC Irvine Thursday.
“Next stop: Irvine, California,” Rioux posted on Instagram, next to an image of him wearing an Anteaters uniform.
The school’s athletic department also announced the news Thursday.
“We are excited to welcome Olivier Rioux to our program,” men’s basketball coach Russell Turner said. “Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community. He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine.”
Rioux, 20, will transfer to UC Irvine from Florida, where he played sparingly last season, appearing in 11 games but logging just 16 minutes, averaging 0.6 points per game.
Rioux was a redshirt on the Gators’ 2025 national championship team, meaning he’ll be a redshirt sophomore this season. He left Florida to seek more playing time.
“We’ve built a strong relationship with Olivier and his family over the years, dating back to his high school recruitment, and that familiarity gives us tremendous belief in who he is both on and off the court,” Turner’s statement added. “Olivier’s unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program. We believe he will have an immediate impact and continue to grow within our system, and we are thrilled to have him join the Anteater family.”
UCI is coming off its 10th Big West regular season title, ending last season 23-12. The Anteaters lost to Hawaii in the Big West tournament, and haven’t appeared in the NCAA tournament since 2019.