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7-Foot-9 Canadian Center Olivier Rioux Commits to UC Irvine

5/1/2026

30 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Rioux Commits UC Irvine

Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 Canadian center, committed to UC Irvine on April 30, 2026.
He redshirted Florida’s 2025 title season, then played 11 games in 2025-26 with one assist.
Rioux entered the portal on March 31, a week before its April 7 opening.
Coach Russell Turner said Rioux’s size and character will help UC Irvine, which finished 23-12, won the Big West title and aims for an NCAA berth since 2019.

Summary

Rioux Transfers

He announced his transfer on Instagram, sparking a flood of fan requests for autographs and selfies.
Campus videos of him riding a custom bike, ducking under doorways and cutting nets flat-footed went viral, fueling curiosity about his record height.
Coach Russell Turner said his character and size will lift the team, university and community.
Recruiting services listed him as a three-star prospect on 247Sports, On3 and Rivals despite limited play.

History

Historical Context

Manute Bol entered the NBA in 1985, posting a rookie-record 397 blocks and averaging 5.0 blocks per game, establishing height as a marketable asset. Nearly four decades later, 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux announced his 2026 transfer to UC Irvine, drawing Big West attention and echoing the trend of programs leveraging extreme stature for recruiting and media impact.

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Rioux Commits UC Irvine

Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 Canadian center, committed to UC Irvine on April 30, 2026.
He redshirted Florida’s 2025 title season, then played 11 games in 2025-26 with one assist.
Rioux entered the portal on March 31, a week before its April 7 opening.
Coach Russell Turner said Rioux’s size and character will help UC Irvine, which finished 23-12, won the Big West title and aims for an NCAA berth since 2019.

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