World’s tallest basketball player, 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux, signs with UC Irvine

Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center from Canada and the world's tallest college basketball player, announced on Thursday, April 30, 2026, that he has signed with UC Irvine after previously being a walk-on at Florida. UC Irvine head coach Russell Turner praised Rioux's character and physical presence, noting the program had maintained a relationship with him since his high school recruitment. Rioux is expected to make an immediate impact for the Anteaters.