Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 center for UC Irvine and the tallest college basketball player in the country, recently shared an anecdote about meeting NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal. The interaction occurred after Rioux threw out the first pitch at Angel Stadium for a game between the Los Angeles Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals on July 21, 2026.
During an interview with Angels reporter Erica Weston, Rioux identified O'Neal and Mr. Beast as the most famous people he has taken photos with. He explained that he met O'Neal, who is also a DJ, at one of his concerts. "He saw me," Rioux said of O'Neal's reaction to his height. Rioux also mentioned that O'Neal offered him some "hip tips," a nod to the former Lakers center's legendary low-post game and ability to use leverage and body positioning.
Rioux is preparing for his first season with UC Irvine after transferring from Florida. Last season with the Gators, he played in 11 games, averaging 1.5 minutes per contest. He hopes to see more playing time with the Anteaters, who have a history of utilizing tall centers, such as the 7-foot-6 Mamadou Ndiaye, who played for the team from 2013 to 2016.
While at Angel Stadium, Rioux also met Los Angeles Angels player Mike Trout, a three-time American League MVP, who was reportedly left smiling after their interaction. Rioux noted his admiration for San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama, appreciating his resilience and the challenges he overcomes on the court. Rioux also mentioned a potential connection with Wembanyama, stating, "me speaking French from Quebec, and him speaking French from France, I think is going to be a nice person to meet."