Florida's 7-foot-9-inch freshman playing with Canada in FIBA U19 World Cup
After taking a redshirt with Florida during his true freshman season, 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux is finally seeing some action on the court with the Canadian U19 World Cup team.
Rioux has participated in international play for his home country for the past four summers, and Saturday marked the start of his fifth year with the team. He played 5:24 with little impact. Rioux finished the game with a plus-minus of -6 and one personal foul. The world's largest teenager did not attempt a shot in the 80-72 win over China. Coming into the game, Rioux averaged 4.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over 24 appearances.
Team Canada is back in action on Sunday against Slovenia at 5:15 a.m. ET and the final group phase game against Germany is Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. Knockout play begins after that.
Rioux's development on the court after a year in Gainesville isn't yet apparent, but the coaching staff has worked with him all year to get him ready for some minutes as a redshirt freshman.
"He's arguably the most unique prospect in college," Golden said. "He's 7-foot-7 1/2 (inches) without shoes on. Both our program and him understand that it's a long road for him, because he's different."
After fans began chanting for "Ollie" to enter the games with the other reserves during Florida's non-conference blowout wins, Golden made it clear that Rioux and the program decided it was best to redshirt him and that he would not play. It's disappointing, but it's a similar path that players his size have gone down. Tacko Fall at UCF is a familiar success story to point to.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Langeliers and Butler lead Athletics past Rays
Athletics' Lawrence Butler celebrates after his two-RBI triple during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe (8) is tagged out at home by Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, right, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Athletics' Shea Langeliers (23) celebrates his three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Athletics' Shea Langeliers rounds the bases after his three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Athletics' Shea Langeliers hits a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Athletics' Shea Langeliers hits a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Athletics' Lawrence Butler celebrates after his two-RBI triple during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe (8) is tagged out at home by Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, right, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Athletics' Shea Langeliers (23) celebrates his three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Athletics' Shea Langeliers rounds the bases after his three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Athletics' Shea Langeliers hits a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Shea Langeliers smashed a three-run homer in his first plate appearance since coming off the injured list, and Lawrence Butler broke a ninth-inning tie with a two-run triple that lifted the Athletics over the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Monday night. The Athletics made two key defensive plays in the bottom of the eighth to keep it tied at 4. Advertisement The Rays had runners on first and second with no outs when Junior Caminero hit a hard grounder to third, but Max Muncy stepped on the bag and threw to first for a double play. Josh Lowe then singled to left field but Colby Thomas threw a dart to home plate to get Brandon Lowe. Butler sent a shot to the wall in left-center field to score runners from second and third on his second triple of the season. Sean Newcomb (2-4) got the final out in the eighth, and Mason Miller worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 16th save. Brent Rooker had an RBI single for the Athletics, who had lost six of eight. The Rays, coming off a defeat at Baltimore, had won five straight and 10 of their last 11 following a loss. Advertisement Pete Fairbanks (3-2) allowed three hits and two runs in the ninth. Key moment The first hit for the Rays came in the fourth on Caminero's two-run homer — his 21st of the season — over the center-field wall. Jonathan Aranda and Jose Caballero added RBI singles to tie it at 4. Key stat The Athletics, who allowed four home runs Sunday, have given up 125 longballs this season, the second-most in team history before the All-Star break. Up next Athletics LHP Jeffrey Springs (6-6, 4.30 ERA) starts Tuesday against his former team. RHP Shane Baz (8-3, 4.37) goes for the Rays. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Xabi Alonso highlights ‘what he needs to teach' Kylian Mbappe on Real Madrid return
Xabi Alonso is ready to bring Kylian Mbappe back into his Real Madrid squad ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup clash with Juventus. Los Blancos secured top spot in Group H after winning two games and drawing with Al Hilal to set up a tie with Juventus in Florida. Advertisement Star striker Mbappe missed all three games due to illness as Alonso opted against risking him in the 3-0 win over RB Salzburg to ensure he would be fully fit to take the Serie A giants. Will Kylian Mbappe play vs. Juventus? Mbappe is back in full training and is on course to start against Juventus, flanked by Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, with Gonzalo Garcia dropping to the bench. Alonso is still working on his tactical plan for next season with Mbappe central to what he wants to do in the Spanish capital. Xabi Alonso's Kylian Mbappe concern on Real Madrid return Former Germany and USA boss Jurgen Klinsmann claimed fitting Mbappe and Vinicius Jr will be a major test for Alonso. Image via El Futbolero Advertisement 'They are two personalities Xabi has to manage and I'm sure the team will manage to compensate for everything to get the best out of them. At PSG, it didn't work out in those two years with Neymar, Mbappe and Messi. 'It will be hard for Xabi to get both of them to defend more.' Ahead of Mbappe's recall, Alonso admitted he needs the France international to change his game in the coming weeks, with a few concerns. 'He's a leader because of his impact and influence. We all need to be committed to the collective ideas and enjoy what we get to do. The demands are the same for everyone,' as per Marca. 'We need to be committed on and off the ball. It's going to be hard to teach Mbappe how to dribble, but it's hard to teach him how to link up. '
Associated Press
25 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Langeliers and Butler lead Athletics past Rays
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Shea Langeliers smashed a three-run homer in his first plate appearance since coming off the injured list, and Lawrence Butler broke a ninth-inning tie with a two-run triple that lifted the Athletics over the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Monday night. The Athletics made two key defensive plays in the bottom of the eighth to keep it tied at 4. The Rays had runners on first and second with no outs when Junior Caminero hit a hard grounder to third, but Max Muncy stepped on the bag and threw to first for a double play. Josh Lowe then singled to left field but Colby Thomas threw a dart to home plate to get Brandon Lowe. Butler sent a shot to the wall in left-center field to score runners from second and third on his second triple of the season. Sean Newcomb (2-4) got the final out in the eighth, and Mason Miller worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 16th save. Brent Rooker had an RBI single for the Athletics, who had lost six of eight. The Rays, coming off a defeat at Baltimore, had won five straight and 10 of their last 11 following a loss. Pete Fairbanks (3-2) allowed three hits and two runs in the ninth. Key moment The first hit for the Rays came in the fourth on Caminero's two-run homer — his 21st of the season — over the center-field wall. Jonathan Aranda and Jose Caballero added RBI singles to tie it at 4. Key stat The Athletics, who allowed four home runs Sunday, have given up 125 longballs this season, the second-most in team history before the All-Star break. Up next Athletics LHP Jeffrey Springs (6-6, 4.30 ERA) starts Tuesday against his former team. RHP Shane Baz (8-3, 4.37) goes for the Rays. ___ AP MLB:
