7-9 Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux enters transfer portal

The towering big man looks to continue his college basketball career elsewhere after two seasons with the Gators.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:52pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in bright colors that capture the dynamic movement and energy of a basketball game, with Olivier Rioux's dominant figure at the center.Rioux's towering presence in the paint will be missed by the Gators as he enters the transfer portal.Gainesville Today

Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 center for the Florida Gators men's basketball team, has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Rioux, a native of Montreal, Canada, has played the last two seasons for the Gators, helping the team reach the NCAA Tournament in 2025 and 2026. The massive center has become a fan favorite in Gainesville for his dominant size and shot-blocking ability.

Why it matters

Rioux's decision to transfer is a significant loss for the Gators, who will now need to find a replacement for their starting center. His departure opens up a scholarship and creates a hole in the team's frontcourt rotation. Rioux's unique size and skill set made him a valuable asset, and his transfer will impact the Gators' plans for the upcoming season.

The details

In his two seasons at Florida, Rioux averaged 8.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. He shot an impressive 71.4% from the field and was a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor. Rioux's size and defensive presence made him a challenging matchup for opposing teams, and his ability to alter and block shots was a key part of the Gators' defensive identity.

  • Rioux entered the NCAA transfer portal on March 31, 2026.
  • He helped the Gators reach the NCAA Tournament in 2025 and 2026.

The players

Olivier Rioux

A 7-foot-9 center from Montreal, Canada, who has played the last two seasons for the Florida Gators men's basketball team.

Florida Gators

The Division I men's basketball team that competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

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What they’re saying

“Olivier Rioux has been a dominant force for us the last two seasons, and we're disappointed to see him enter the transfer portal. He's been a valuable part of our team and a fan favorite in Gainesville.”

— Mike White, Head Coach, Florida Gators

What’s next

Rioux will now explore his options and decide on a new school to continue his college basketball career. The Gators will need to identify and recruit a replacement for Rioux in the frontcourt to maintain their competitiveness in the SEC and NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Rioux's transfer represents a significant loss for the Florida Gators, as his unique size and defensive abilities made him a valuable asset. His departure opens up a scholarship and creates a hole in the team's frontcourt rotation, which the Gators will need to address in the offseason. Rioux's decision to transfer highlights the fluidity of the modern college basketball landscape and the challenges teams face in retaining top talent.