GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux stepped to the foul line during a Gators’ blowout win but with plenty at stake for the tallest player in college basketball history.
After missing his first attempt off the front rim, Rioux tried for the rebound, thinking it was a lost one-and-one opportunity. Instead, a review by officials determined the 19-year-old — and world’s tallest teen — had been fouled in the act of shooting.
Rioux calmly sank his second attempt as a sellout crowd erupted Friday night at the O’Connell Center to celebrate his first points as a Gator and cap the No. 10 Gators (4-1) 80-45 win against Merrimack.
With a little less than five minutes remaining fans began to chant for Rioux, a UF fan favorite and international curiosity.
Florida’s 7-foot-9 redshirt freshman Olivier tries for a rebound during the Gators’ 80-45 win against Merrimack Friday night at the O’Connell Center in Gainesville.(Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Rioux finally entered the game with 2:26 remaining the Gators leading 79-41 the loudest ovation of the night from crowd on hand to see the reigning national champions and receive replica rings of the diamond-encrusted ones players, coaches and support staff gave out earlier in the week.
Merrimack (2-4) was no match for coach Todd Golden’s Gators, who scored the first 11 points and soon rode a 19-0 run to a 32-4 advantage.
Rueben Chinyelu finished 14 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, while Alex Condon recorded 20 points and 11 boards for his third double-double of the season while UF held a 53-25 rebounding edge. Thomas Haugh (13) and Boogie Fland (10) also scored in double figures for Florida.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/11/21/florida-gators-basketball-olivier-rioux-scores-todd-golden/

