Florida's Olivier Rioux Becomes Tallest March Madness Athlete

The 7-foot-9 center helped the Gators defeat Prairie View A&M in the NCAA tournament.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 8:18pm

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University of Florida basketball player Olivier Rioux, who stands 7-foot-9, has become the tallest athlete to ever compete in the NCAA March Madness tournament. Rioux, a member of the Gators' 2025 national championship team, entered Friday's game against Prairie View A&M in the final minutes and scored a put-back dunk before the final buzzer, capping the team's 114-55 blowout win.

Why it matters

Rioux's record-breaking height has made him a standout player, drawing attention and excitement from fans and opponents alike. His story highlights the diversity of talent and physical abilities represented in the NCAA tournament each year.

The details

Rioux, 20, stands 7-foot-9, making him the tallest athlete to ever compete in the NCAA March Madness tournament. He helped the Florida Gators defeat the Prairie View A&M Panthers 114-55 during the Friday, March 20, match-up. Rioux, who plays center for the Gators, is in his second year at the University of Florida and entered Friday's game in the final minutes, scoring a put-back dunk before the final buzzer.

  • Rioux set the Guinness World Record for the tallest male teenager when he was 16 years old.
  • Rioux and the Gators will next play the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, March 22, in the next round of the NCAA tournament.

The players

Olivier Rioux

A 20-year-old basketball player for the University of Florida Gators who stands 7-foot-9, making him the tallest athlete to ever compete in the NCAA March Madness tournament.

Alex Condon

A forward for the University of Florida Gators basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“It's pretty unbelievable. He's a very tall bloke. He comes out there, and everyone's chanting to get him the ball. He does a great job managing that pressure and taking the right shots.”

— Alex Condon, Gators forward

“We're still not 100 percent sure why I'm so tall. After investigation, doctors could only explain it with the genetics that my family has. My father is 6'8, my mom is 6'2 and my older brother is 6'9. So. we're a pretty tall family! It feels great being the height I am. I love it.”

— Olivier Rioux

“I have been playing basketball since I was 5 years old. The opposing team would often question my age, because even as a 5-year-old I was much taller than the other kids. Although no one questions my age anymore, sometimes before the game the opponents are looking in my direction with question-mark eyes. Often they just ask a question at the free throw line like, 'How tall are you?'”

— Olivier Rioux

What’s next

Rioux and the Gators will next play the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, March 22, in the next round of the NCAA tournament.

The takeaway

Rioux's record-breaking height has made him a standout player in the NCAA tournament, drawing excitement and attention from fans and opponents alike. His story highlights the diversity of talent and physical abilities represented in March Madness each year.