Standing at an astonishing 7-foot-9, Olivier Rioux isn't just your average college basketball player—he's officially the tallest player in the history of the sport at this level. And now, the former Florida Gators center has found his next home, announcing his transfer to UC Irvine on Thursday, April 30.

Rioux made the news official with a post on social media, writing in French, "Prochain arrêt: Irvine, Californie"—which translates to "Next stop: Irvine, California." It's a move that signals a fresh start for a player whose sheer size has already made him a fan favorite and a walking headline.

During his two seasons with the Gators, Rioux played a reserve role, appearing in 11 games during the 2025-26 season. While his stats were modest—averaging 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds per game—he made history in the process. Rioux became the tallest player ever to score in both an NCAA Tournament game and an SEC conference game. His highlights include a two-point, two-rebound, one-assist performance in mop-up duty against Prairie View A&M during the first round of the men's NCAA Tournament, and his first SEC bucket against Alabama on February 1.

With Florida boasting a deep frontcourt—including returning starters Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, plus veteran backup Micah Handlogten—Rioux logged just 17 total minutes of action this season. But at UC Irvine, the story could be very different.

The Anteaters have a proven track record of developing big men. Just look at former center Kyle Evans, who blossomed into one of the top transfer portal prospects this year after averaging 12.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game last season—a breakout that came after he played just 20 games across his first two college seasons at Colorado State. If UC Irvine can work that kind of magic again, Rioux could find himself with a much bigger role—and more minutes—on the court.

For fans of college basketball and anyone who loves a good underdog-turned-star story, Rioux's move to the Anteaters is one to watch. After all, when you're the tallest player in the history of the game, you're always worth keeping an eye on.