Walter Clayton Jr. has guided the Florida Gators to the national championship for the first time since 2007, scoring 34 points in the Final Four win over the Auburn Tigers.
On Monday night, Florida had a shot at a third national title, facing the Houston Cougars in San Antonio, Texas. And ahead of the big game, the Gators’ freshman center Olivier Rioux was already getting some publicity on social media.
Rioux, a 7-foot-9 freshman from Terrebonne, Quebec (Canada), has become a big hit on social media for his incredible height. Although he is with the team, Rioux has not appeared in any games this season, redshirting early on.
With Rioux in San Antonio for the national championship, he had an issue that many might not understand, ducking under the doorway as he entered.
College basketball fans were left amused by Rioux’s entrance, taking to social media to leave their thoughts.
“Every doorway is a danger for Olivier Rioux, it must be exhausting being 7’9,” one user said.
“Bahaha Olivier Rioux…dayum,” added another.
“That security guard said ‘god damn,'” posted a third.
“We need him on the court!!” claimed a fourth.
“7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux has to duck to get into the locker rooms at the National Championship. 😳,” commented a fifth.
“7’9 Olivier Rioux has to duck into the locker room,” added a sixth.
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) and center Olivier Rioux.
Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Rioux could be a potential figure in Florida’s rotation next season just because of his height. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, he is the world’s tallest teenager, also making him the tallest in all of college basketball.
Any player with that kind of height could find a role in the NCAA, similar to how 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall helped UCF to the tournament.