Move over, skyscrapers—there's a new giant on the West Coast. Olivier Rioux, the world's tallest college basketball player at a staggering 7-foot-9, has officially committed to UC Irvine after entering the transfer portal last month. The towering former Florida Gator announced his decision on social media Thursday, bringing his unparalleled height and a story that's already making history to the Big West Conference.

Rioux's journey to Irvine is as unique as his stature. After spending two seasons as a preferred walk-on with the Gators, the Canadian center saw limited action—appearing in just 11 games during the 2025-26 season for a total of 16 minutes. But when he did step on the court, he made it count. Earlier this season, Rioux etched his name in the record books by becoming the tallest player in college basketball history—at any level—to score a basket, throwing down a two-handed dunk in Florida's blowout win over Saint Francis. It was a moment that had fans and teammates alike buzzing, a glimpse of the potential packed into his 7-foot-9 frame.

At Florida, Rioux faced an uphill battle for playing time. The Gators' frontcourt was stacked with stars like Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, and Rueben Chinyelu—players who helped fuel Florida's national title run last season (during which Rioux redshirted). With Condon and Haugh already announcing their return for next season and Chinyelu testing the NBA Draft waters, the path to meaningful minutes in Gainesville looked narrower than ever. The Gators are even projected as the preseason No. 1 team, a squad where a deep-bench reserve like Rioux would have struggled to find his spot.

But Rioux's story is about more than just minutes. In 2021, Guinness World Records named him the tallest teenager in the world at 7-foot-5, and he's only grown since then. When he checked in against North Florida this season, he became the tallest college basketball player ever to appear in a game—a record that speaks to both his physical presence and the sheer spectacle he brings to the court. Need proof of his height? He didn't even need a ladder to cut down the nets after Florida's Elite Eight win over Texas Tech last season. That's the kind of detail that makes you stop and stare.

Now, Rioux is heading to UC Irvine, a program that finished the 2025-26 season with a solid 23-12 record, including a narrow 75-72 loss to UNLV in the first round of the NIT. The Anteaters have made two NCAA Tournament appearances (2015 and 2019) in recent memory, and adding a player of Rioux's size—and the buzz he generates—could be a game-changer. For a team looking to make noise in the Big West, Rioux offers a unique weapon: a towering presence in the paint, a shot-blocking threat, and a storyline that's sure to draw eyes to the Anteaters' home games.

Whether he's swatting shots or simply standing tall, Olivier Rioux is proof that in basketball, size isn't just an advantage—it's a spectacle. And for UC Irvine, that spectacle just got a whole lot bigger.