Florida’s 7’9 center didn’t need a ladder to cut down the nets

You can’t teach size.

You just can’t teach size. On Sunday this really hit home as 7’9 Florida center Oliver Rioux cut down the net without even needing a dang ladder.

Rioux has been a fascinating curiosity since joining the Gators last season. The 19-year-old Canadian redshirted this season, so never logged any stats as he refines his game — but the excitement is palpable when you see clips like this.

Though Rioux’s size is absolutely mind-boggling, don’t get it twisted and confuse him with Victor Wembanyama. Thus far Rioux has fallen much more in line with other tall curiosities than actually being an elite basketball player. At the 2024 FIBA Under 18 AmeriCup he averaged just 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds despite towering over the field, and his lack of quickness is notable when it comes to him struggling as a shot blocker.

Still, he remains an intriguing player to watch in the coming years, and if Florida can develop any traits he could be a player to watch in the future. At the very least he’ll be a clutch player to cut down nets whenever needed, or rescuing cats from trees.