7-foot-9 Florida center Olivier Rioux goes viral after unique approach cutting down net
Even in a game of modern giants, University of Florida freshman Olivier Rioux stands tall.
The Canadian center, now listed at 7-foot-9, caught college basketball fans' attention watching the Gators win the SEC Championship following the game when he stepped up to cut down a piece of the net. Where his peers and coaches used a ladder, Rioux stood on the floor, reaching up with a pair of scissors.
Known as the tallest teenager in the world, Rioux was cheered by the Florida-affiliated people who surrounded him as he got a piece of the twine. Watch here, courtesy of the SEC Network:
7'9" freshman Olivier Rioux didn't need a ladder to cut the net 😂 @GatorsMBKpic.twitter.com/UW2sEZUfZP
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 16, 2025
Florida men's basketball beat Tennessee 86-77 to win the SEC championship on Sunday, finishing the season 30-4 and shifting its focus to March Madness.
Rioux is redshirting this season, and when he plays next year, he will be the tallest in Div. I history, according to ESPN.
He's long been the tallest player on the court. Take a look back at his growth and prep years:
Olivier Rioux in school
By the age of 8, Rioux was 6-foot-1 and playing basketball. He reached 6-foot-11 in sixth grade and hit the 7-foot mark in the summer before seventh grade. Much of his basketball education came under Pascal Jobin, who coached at Cégep Édouard Montpetit and McGill University, Rioux told USA TODAY High School Sports in December 2023.
Much of Rioux's high school experience came on the international stage, as he played in the 2021 FIBA U16 Americas Championship, 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, 2023 U18 FIBE AmeriCup and 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, according to his Florida bio. He played at IMG Academy, where he split time between the IMG Varsity Blue roster and the program's national team.
Here are international stats listed on his Florida bio:
- 2021 FIBA U16 Americas Championship: 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds over six games
- 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup: 2.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game
- 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup: 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in five appearances
- 2023 U18 FIBA AmeriCup: 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, helping Canada win a bronze medal
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux doesn't need a ladder to cut down net
-
Watch: Florida 7-foot-9 freshman Olivier Rioux doesn't need ladder to cut down net
Olivier Rioux, Florida's 7-foot-9 freshman, did not require a ladder to cut down the net following the Gators' SEC tournament championship.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
After 18 holes at 2025 Players Championship, who's in danger of missing the cut?
The cut at the 2025 Players Championship will be the top 65 and ties.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
WATCH: Dog goes viral for cuddling
Justice the dog is a trained emotional support animal who went viral for cuddling after his owner posted a video on TikTok.ABC News - 1d -
Florida basketball takes down Tennessee Volunteers to claim SEC Tournament championship
For the fifth time in program history, the Florida Gators are SEC Tournament champions, following a convincing win over the Tennessee Volunteers.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
After dispatching Alabama, Florida basketball eager for second shot at SEC Tournament title
Florida basketball has won 11 of last 12 but will get another test facing home state Tennessee in SEC Tournament finals in NashvilleYahoo Sports - 1d -
Inside Tennessee baseball's nine-run seventh inning to crush Florida
Tennessee baseball scored nine runs in the seventh inning to run-rule Florida, clinching the Vols' first SEC series of the season.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
No. 4 Florida Gators win 1st SEC Tourney title since 2014 after beating No. 8 Tennessee 86-77
Walter Clayton Jr. scored 22 points and fourth-ranked Florida won its fifth Southeastern Conference Tournament title and first since 2014 Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Stephen A. Smith after Florida's SEC Tournament win over Alabama: 'They look real as hell'
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was extremely impressed with the Florida Gators after their win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Tournament SemifinalsYahoo Sports - 1d -
Missouri basketball vs Florida: Scouting report, score prediction for SEC Tournament game
Here is what you need to know about Florida before Missouri basketball faces the Gators in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Red Wings Weekly News Recap: Post 2025 Trade Deadline
While nagging can build frustration, a little reminder never hurt anyone.Yahoo Sports - 20m
More in Sports
-
Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal
United States national team star Christian Pulisic is in negotiations with AC Milan over a new contract, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 7m -
What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?
Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell reveal their ideal outcomes.ESPN - 10m -
What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?
Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell reveal their ideal outcomes.ESPN - 10m -
Norris' narrow Australian GP win over Verstappen belies McLaren dominance
Lando Norris won by just 0.8 second in Australia, but McLaren is a class apart from the F1 field.ESPN - 10m -
Josh Berry gets first career Cup Series win at Vegas
Josh Berry raced to the first Cup Series victory of his career, taking NASCAR's oldest team to victory lane Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.ESPN - 10m