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The average size of a men’s basketball program will increase significantly next season.
That’s because Olivier Rioux, the greatest college basketball player of all time, is leaving the University of Florida.
The 7-foot-9, 20-year-old announced his decision in an Instagram post, where he thanked his coaches for “believing in me, trusting me and pushing me to develop every day,” as well as “the coaches, managers and support staff.”
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Center Olivier Rioux of the Florida Gators checks into the game for guard Urban Klavzar of the Florida Gators during the college basketball game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs on February 11, 2026, at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia. (Jeffrey Vest/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
Rioux said he took the time “to think about my jersey and what’s best for my future.”
“It’s really hard to put into words what these last two years and this experience have meant to me. From growing up in the province of Quebec, at home in Canada, to representing this incredible program, wearing these colors and competing at the highest level has been one of the greatest honors of my life…” Rioux wrote.
“Winning the national championship last year was a dream come true for all of us. It’s something we worked for every day, and experiencing this moment together is something I will cherish forever. I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my life.
“To the alumni and to Florida Victorious, thank you for building the legacy we are so proud to represent. And to my teammates, my brothers, thank you for every moment, every battle, every joke and every memory. The bond we share is untouchable. And most of all, thank you to all of Gator Nation. Your energy, your passion and your support mean everything to me. You have supported me through it all, and I am forever grateful to be a part of this family. This time together will always be a special one. place in my heart until we meet again, thank you, thank you.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux greets a fan after the game. The Florida Gators hosted the Grambling Tigers in the Exactech Zone at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida on Monday, November 11, 2024. (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)
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Rioux played sparingly for two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then taking to the field to clean up last season. He played 15 minutes in total, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and one assist.
Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 win over North Florida last November. He scored three plays later, making a free throw after a foul. He also recorded his first rebound.
Rioux is two inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and three inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.
Head coach Todd Golden gave Rioux the option to play sparingly as a true freshman or take a redshirt season and work on his game. Rioux chose the latter. After all four frontcourt players returned, Golden made it clear before the season that Rioux would only play late in blowouts.
Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) and Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Hassane Diallo (11) watch during a first round game of the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida on March 20, 2026. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)
But Rioux redoubled his desire to be in Florida and embraced the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.
