Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux Makes College Basketball Debut
The moment Florida Gators fans have been eagerly awaiting finally arrived. Olivier Rioux, towering at 7-foot-9, entered the game with about two minutes remaining on Thursday night, marking his college basketball debut as the tallest player in college hoops.
Though the situation was somewhat anticlimactic during a 40-point win over North Florida, every player has to start somewhere. Gator fans enthusiastically cheered Rioux’s appearance on the court.
Gator fans went WILD for Olivier Rioux checking into the game 🐊 (via @SECNetwork)
Rioux did not record any statistics in his brief two-minute appearance but served as a symbol of the Gators' strong, much-needed victory. After opening the season with a tough loss to No. 13 Arizona, Florida returned home to face the in-state Ospreys, a less challenging opponent.
The defending national champions delivered an impressive performance, scoring 52 points in each half and finishing with a decisive 104-64 win.
Rioux was on campus last year as a redshirt national champion, best known for cutting down his portion of the net on the ground.
Summary
Olivier Rioux's debut, despite brief playtime and no stats, marks a milestone for Florida basketball, showcasing hope and excitement for the season ahead.