Move over, giants of the game—there's a new king of height in college basketball. Olivier Rioux, the towering 7-foot-9 former Florida center, has officially committed to UC Irvine through the NCAA Transfer Portal, as announced on his Instagram. Standing head and shoulders above the competition, Rioux is now the tallest player in college basketball, a distinction that promises to reshape the Anteaters' defensive presence and rebounding game.
This massive addition comes just weeks after the NCAA Transfer Portal opened on April 7 and closed on April 21, following a new 15-day window recommended by the men's basketball oversight committee. While athletes didn't need to lock in their new school by that deadline, Rioux's swift decision to join UC Irvine signals his eagerness to make an immediate impact in the Big West Conference. For fans of the sport, this is a move that could turn heads—literally and figuratively—as Rioux's unmatched height brings a unique dynamic to the court.
As the transfer landscape continues to shift, keep your eyes on the latest player movements. Whether you're tracking future stars or just love the thrill of roster shake-ups, this is one story that proves size truly matters in the game of basketball.
