7-foot-9 giant Olivier Rioux shocked the college basketball world with his transfer portal decision. The tallest player in NCAA history transferred from the Florida Gators to UC Irvine Anteaters ahead of the 2026 season.
That move has many fans wondering why Rioux left the Swamps. Let’s analyze why Rioux decided to enter the transfer portal in the first place, leaving head coach Todd Golden’s side.
Why Did Olivier Rioux Leave Todd Golden’s Florida?
It’s not hard to see why Olivier Rioux made the decision to enter the transfer portal. Like many portal candidates, Rioux is leaving to get more playing time.
The big man only appeared in 11 games last season, averaging roughly 1.5 minutes per game and scored just seven total points. Even across two seasons, his role remained extremely limited.
But let’s not forget that Florida entered the 2025 season as the defending national champions. The team remained a top contender and No. 1 seed entering the 2026 NCAA Tournament because of NBA-level talent and experienced big men. This meant that Rioux was buried in the depth chart on a highly competitive college basketball program.
Even though Rioux’s frame is massive, it has its own challenges. Many can point to his lack of mobility and footwork as the primary reasons behind not getting a ton of minutes.
The move to UC Irvine could result in better playing opportunities for Rioux. It’s important to note that UC Irvine head coach Russell Turner has a track record of developing unusually tall centers. Turner is known for coaching 7-foot-6 standout Mamadou Ndiaye, turning him into a formidable force on defense. As a result, Rioux believes that the Anteaters could make better use of his height.
When entering the transfer portal, he made his goals known. He acknowledged his time in the Swamps but said he needed to consider “what’s best for my future.”
“It’s truly hard to put into words what these last two years and this experience has meant to me,” Rioux wrote in an Instagram post. “From being raised in the province of Quebec back home in Canada, to representing this incredible program, wearing these colors and competing at the highest level has been one of the greatest honors of my life. After taking time to reflect on my journey and what’s best for my future, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal.”
Rioux still has three years of college eligibility remaining, as he would hope to turn around the outlook on him.
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