The tallest college basketball player in history, 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux, made a significant impact in his debut for UC Irvine, tallying 13 points and 12 rebounds in an 18-minute performance during the Anteaters' 92-66 victory over Chapman. Rioux's strong showing positions him as a key player for the team this season.
Rioux, a Canadian-born center, transferred to UC Irvine after a limited role with the Florida Gators, where he was part of a national championship-winning team during a redshirt year in 2025. His move to UC Irvine was influenced by coach Russell Turner, who previously developed 7-foot-6 center Mamadou Ndiaye into a Big West Defensive Player of the Year. Rioux aims to achieve similar success, with the potential to surpass Ndiaye's achievements, as Ndiaye did not reach the NBA.
His transition to UC Irvine is seen as a strategic step to gain more playing time and develop his game. Rioux's performance included a notable play where he dunked from near the baseline. He recorded one block in his debut and will have another opportunity to impress evaluators when UC Irvine hosts San Jose State on Saturday.
Rioux's potential NBA aspirations will depend on his continued development, particularly in defense and rebounding, areas where he will need to prove his capability against higher levels of competition.