Florida Center Olivier Rioux Enters Transfer Portal

Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 center for the Florida Gators, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal. The 20-year-old made the announcement Tuesday morning, seeking a new collegiate home.

Rioux was part of the Florida program that secured the national championship last year, though he redshirted during that season. This past year, his playing time was limited, making only 11 appearances.

In those games, Rioux never played more than two minutes, averaging 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds across just 1.5 minutes per contest.

Rioux Reflects on His Time in Gainesville

The towering center shared his thoughts on his tenure with the Gators via an Instagram post. He expressed deep gratitude for the experience of representing the program.

"It’s truly hard to put into words what these last two years and this experience has meant to me," Rioux stated. He noted the honor of competing at the highest level after coming from his home province of Quebec, Canada.

After careful reflection on his journey and future needs, Rioux concluded, "I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal."

NCAA Record Holder Makes Brief Tournament Appearance

Rioux, who has previously represented Canada on youth national teams, holds the distinction of being the tallest player ever to appear in an NCAA game. His debut occurred on November 6 during a decisive victory over North Florida.

He made a brief cameo appearance during this month's NCAA Tournament. This occurred late in Florida’s 114-55 first-round win against No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M.

Rioux managed to score with 1:13 remaining in that game. The No. 1 seeded Gators' championship repeat bid ended in the second round following an upset loss to No. 9 seed Iowa.

Gratitude Towards Coaching Staff

The center specifically acknowledged the guidance he received from the Florida coaching staff. He thanked head coach Todd Golden and associate head coach Carlin Hartman for their support.

Rioux extended his thanks for "believing in me, for trusting me, and for pushing me to develop every single day."