GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Todd Golden faced a chorus of shouts at halftime Thursday, with sections of the O'Connell Center chanting "We Want Ollie." He obliged with 2:09 to play, sending 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux onto the court and making history in the Gators' 104-64 victory over North Florida.
The 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Canada, already listed in Guinness World Records as the world's tallest teenager, became the tallest person ever to play college basketball in his debut. Rioux drew huge attention simply by stepping on the floor — he never touched the ball — but the moment brought the building to its feet.
"It felt great," Rioux said after the game, thanking teammates, coaches and fans for their support. Asked about the historic mark, he downplayed it: "It's another day, I guess."
Even opponents smiled at the sight. North Florida forward Trey Cady grinned as he measured himself next to Rioux, conceding more than a foot in the matchup.
Golden said he had told players at halftime about the plan to give younger and bench players some minutes once the game was in control. With the Gators up by a wide margin and all four of Florida's regular frontcourt playe
