Olivier Rioux: A Historic Milestone in College Basketball
Olivier Rioux, a remarkable 7-foot-9 (2.36 m) teenager, has etched his name in college basketball history as the tallest player to score a basket. This milestone came during a recent game where the Florida Gators triumphed over Saint Francis with an impressive score of 102-61. Rioux, who is just 19 years old and hails from Canada, had already made waves last month by becoming the tallest college basketball player after his debut on the court.
Recognition and Previous Achievements
His extraordinary height was officially recognized in 2021 by the Guinness World Records when he measured 7 feet 5 inches (2.26 m) at the time. Although Rioux had not dunked before in a competition, he did manage to score a free throw previously against Merrimack on November 21.
Potential NBA Career
Considering the possibility of Rioux advancing to the NBA, it’s noteworthy that he’d surpass current players in height. For instance, the league’s tallest active player is Victor Wembanyama at 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 m), playing for the San Antonio Spurs. Following him is Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies, standing at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m). Furthermore, the NBA also features three players at 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m), namely Donovan Clingan of the Portland Trail Blazers, Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, and Kristaps Porzingis of the Atlanta Hawks.
Historical Context
Historically, the tallest players in the NBA have been Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan, both at 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 m), with Bol’s career spanning from 1985 to 1997, while Muresan, affectionately known as the ‘Giant’, played from 1991 to 2001.
