IRVINE, Calif. (AP) 鈥� The world鈥檚 tallest college basketball player is going coast to coast.
Former Florida walk-on Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center from Canada and one of the most recognizable student-athletes in North America, he has signed with UC Irvine. The school in Southern California announced his arrival hours earlier.
鈥淥livier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community,” UC Irvine coach Russell Turner said in a statement. “He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine.
“We鈥檝e built a strong relationship with Olivier and his family over the years, dating back to his high school recruitment, and that familiarity gives us tremendous belief in who he is both on and off the court. Olivier鈥檚 unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program. We believe he will have an immediate impact and continue to grow within our system, and we are thrilled to have him join the Anteater family.鈥�
Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team鈥檚 national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season. He played 15 total minutes, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and an assist.
He set a Guinness World Record as the world鈥檚 tallest teen before he stepped foot on campus. Now 20, he鈥檚 looking for a chance to play more as a third-year sophomore.
Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in last November. He , making a free throw after getting fouled. He also recorded his first rebound.
Rioux is 2 inches (5 centimeters) taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and 3 inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.
Florida coach Todd Golden . Rioux chose the latter. Nonetheless, he was a walking viral video, from riding his custom-made bike on campus, to ducking under every doorway, to cutting down nets while standing flat-footed during Florida鈥檚 NCAA Tournament run.
Golden made it clear before last season that Rioux would only play late in blowouts, the result of having all four frontcourt players returning. But and welcomed the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.
Now he will try to get on the court more often in Southern California.
UC Irvine won the Big West regular-season title last season but lost in the conference tournament and ended up in the NIT.
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