The world’s tallest teenager — a Canadian — becomes tallest player in college basketball history

Olivier Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Todd Golden had people yelling at him at halftime Thursday night to get seven-foot-nine centre Olivier Rioux in the game.

Golden relented with 2:09 to play — and made history in the process — after chants of “We Want Ollie” swept through the O’Connell Center.

Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida.

Rioux, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Terrebonne, Que., and the world’s tallest teenager, drew so much attention from the Ospreys that he didn’t even touch the ball.

“It felt great,” Rioux said. “The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everybody supported me. I’m very grateful.”

When asked about making history, Rioux quipped: “It’s another day, I guess.”

Rioux made everyone in attendance smile. Even North Florida forward Trey Cady smirked when he measured himself against Rioux. Cady was giving up more than a foot in the matchup.

“There’s people yelling at me at halftime about playing him,” Golden said. “I’m like, ‘Listen, it will happen. The time will come.’”