Syracuse Targets Record-Breaking 7-Foot-9 Transfer to Anchor 2-3 Zone

Gerry McNamara could bring in Olivier Rioux, the tallest player to ever score in college basketball, to bolster the Orange's iconic defensive scheme.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:39pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the overlapping perspectives of a towering basketball player defending the paint in a 2-3 zone defense, using bold, vibrant colors to capture the energy and dynamism of the game.A cubist interpretation of a 7-foot-9 center anchoring Syracuse's legendary 2-3 zone defense, presenting a unique challenge for opposing offenses.Syracuse Today

Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara is reportedly interested in bringing in 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux, who recently entered the transfer portal after spending the past two seasons with the Florida Gators. Rioux, who is the tallest player to ever score a basket in college basketball history, could be a unique fit in the Orange's signature 2-3 zone defense if McNamara can convince him to join the program.

Why it matters

Syracuse's 2-3 zone defense has been a hallmark of the program for decades under head coach Jim Boeheim, and adding a player of Rioux's rare size and stature could allow the Orange to implement new wrinkles to the scheme that opponents have rarely, if ever, seen before.

The details

Rioux played a limited role for the Florida Gators over the past two seasons, seeing just 16 minutes of action in 2025-26 and making 3-of-6 field goals for 7 points. While he may not fit the mold of a traditional center in Boeheim's system, his towering presence in the middle of the zone could force opponents to adjust their offensive approach in unique ways.

  • Rioux entered the transfer portal in March 2026.
  • Rioux spent the past two seasons with the Florida Gators.

The players

Gerry McNamara

An assistant coach at Syracuse University who is reportedly interested in bringing in Olivier Rioux to bolster the Orange's iconic 2-3 zone defense.

Olivier Rioux

A 7-foot-9 center who recently entered the transfer portal after spending the past two seasons with the Florida Gators. Rioux is the tallest player to ever score a basket in college basketball history.

Jim Boeheim

The longtime head coach of the Syracuse University men's basketball team, known for implementing the program's signature 2-3 zone defense.

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What they’re saying

“If Gerry McNamara wants to return fully to his Syracuse roots and bring back the 2-3 zone, there's one fascinating player who just entered the transfer portal that could be worth a look.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Syracuse will actively pursue Rioux and whether the towering center would be interested in joining the Orange's program. The next key development will be if McNamara reaches out to Rioux to gauge his interest in potentially anchoring Syracuse's 2-3 zone defense.

The takeaway

The potential addition of Olivier Rioux, the tallest player in college basketball history, could allow Syracuse to implement innovative new wrinkles to its iconic 2-3 zone defense under Gerry McNamara's guidance. While Rioux may not fit the traditional mold of a Boeheim center, his sheer size and length could present unique challenges for opposing offenses.