Tallest College Basketball Player Olivier Rioux Enters Transfer Portal

The 7-foot-9 Florida center will look to continue his career elsewhere after limited minutes in 2025-26.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:25pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux's figure prominently featured in sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like electric blue, fiery orange, and deep purple.The towering presence of Olivier Rioux, college basketball's tallest player, commands attention even in a deconstructed, cubist-inspired illustration.Bradenton Today

Olivier Rioux, the tallest player in college basketball history at 7-foot-9, has announced he will enter the NCAA transfer portal after one season at the University of Florida. The redshirt freshman saw limited playing time with the Gators, but made history as the tallest player to score in an NCAA Tournament and SEC conference game.

Why it matters

Rioux's decision to transfer could open up opportunities for the Canadian big man to find a program that can better showcase his unique size and skills. As the tallest active player in college basketball, he has the potential to be a valuable asset for a team willing to invest in his development.

The details

Rioux played just 17 minutes for Florida in 2025-26, scoring 7 total points. However, he made the most of his limited action, becoming the tallest player to ever score in an NCAA Tournament game and SEC conference game. The Quebec native attended IMG Academy in Florida before joining the Gators, where he was a 3-star recruit with offers from smaller programs like Florida Atlantic and Stetson.

  • Rioux announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on March 31, 2026.
  • The NCAA transfer portal window opens on April 7, 2026 and closes on April 21, 2026.

The players

Olivier Rioux

A 7-foot-9 redshirt freshman center who is the tallest player in college basketball history. Rioux played limited minutes at the University of Florida in 2025-26 but made history as the tallest player to score in an NCAA Tournament and SEC conference game.

University of Florida

The Division I college basketball program that Rioux played for in 2025-26 before deciding to enter the transfer portal.

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What they’re saying

“After taking time to reflect on my journey and what's best for my future, I've decided to enter the transfer portal.”

— Olivier Rioux

What’s next

Rioux will look to find a new program that can provide him with more playing time and opportunities to showcase his unique size and skills. The transfer portal window opens on April 7, 2026, giving Rioux several weeks to evaluate his options before making a decision on his next destination.

The takeaway

Rioux's decision to transfer highlights the challenges that even the tallest players in college basketball can face in earning consistent playing time. However, his historic accomplishments and tantalizing potential make him an intriguing prospect for programs seeking a true difference-maker in the paint.