Florida's Olivier Rioux, tallest NCAA player, goes viral

nypost.com

Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center for the Florida Gators, is gaining attention during the NCAA Tournament, even though he's not playing. Rioux is the tallest player in the tournament and has become a viral sensation after CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson shared a photo with him. In the photo, Wolfson stands next to Rioux, showcasing their height difference. She also included a picture of herself with Tacko Fall, who is three inches shorter than Rioux. Social media users reacted with humorous comments about their size, with jokes about flying and microphone support. Rioux has been redshirting this season, meaning he is not playing competitive games but is still practicing with the team. He is the tallest teenager in the world and has grown rapidly over the years, reaching 6-foot-1 by age 8 and 6-foot-11 by sixth grade. Recently, Rioux went viral after helping cut down the net during the SEC championship celebration. He did this without needing a ladder, impressing fans and cheerleaders. He plans to play more next season, as he focuses on improving his skills this year. He stated that while not playing is challenging, he is committed to practicing hard.


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