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Florida center Olivier Rioux made history in the team’s 102-61 win over Saint Francis on Wednesday night when the world’s tallest teenager made his first collegiate field goal in the final minutes of the game.
The Canadian phenom, already a fan favorite, entered the game in the final two minutes of the match, drawing loud cheers from the crowd, who earlier in the evening began chanting “We want Ollie!” »
Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) shoots the ball against Saint François during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Gainesville, Florida, December 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Hurd)
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With 43 seconds left, Rioux took a bounce pass from teammate CJ Ingram and dunked – his feet barely leaving the floor in the process.
At 7 feet 9 inches, he became the tallest player in college basketball history to make a field goal.
“Pretty special, man,” Gators coach Todd Golden said after the contest. “The transition, his vertical. Woo. He was up there, man.”
North Florida guard Dante Oliver, left, and North Florida forward Nestor Dyachok, right, guard Florida center Olivier Rioux, center, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Gainesville, Fla., Nov. 6, 2025. (Photo Chris Watkins/AP)
OLIVIER RIOUX, THE WORLD’S GREATEST TEENAGER, MAKES COLLEGE BASKETBALL HISTORY FOR THE FLORIDA GATORS
“We were just going crazy,” added Florida guard Xaivian Lee, who led the team with 18 points.
Rioux, 19, made history last month when he became the greatest college basketball player of all time in his debut with the Gators. With his size hard to miss on the court, Rioux didn’t touch the ball in that game, but he scored three plays later, making a free throw.
Olivier Rioux (32) of the Florida Gators watches from the bench during the first half of a Hall of Fame Series game against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 3, 2025. The Wildcats defeated the Gators 93-87. (David Becker/Getty Images)
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“It was awesome,” Rioux said after his debut. “The support from everyone has been incredible, even on the bench and even among the fans. I think everyone has supported me. I’m very grateful.”
