GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux made his long-awaited, hard-earned debut to become the tallest player in college basketball history.

With the No. 3 Gators 104-64 win against North Florida well in hand, many among a reported crowd of 10,065 began to chant, “Oli, Oli, Oli,” — the nicknamed given the world’s tallest teenager and fan favorite despite having not played since he arrived in the summer of 2024.

Coach Todd Golden answered the calls, with UF leading 102-61 and 2:09 remaining Thursday night at the O’Connell Center.

“It felt great,” the 19-year-old Canadian said. “The support from everybody was amazing. Even on the bench and even with the fans. Everybody supported me. I’m very grateful.”

Even though he didn’t score or grab a rebound, Rioux made history as the

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