Olivier Rioux Signs With Uc Irvine After Florida Limited Minutes
Olivier Rioux signed with uc irvine on Thursday, giving the Anteaters a 7-foot-9 center from Canada after two quiet seasons at Florida. He arrives as a third-year sophomore who is looking for more minutes than he saw with the Gators.
Rioux Leaves Florida
Rioux played sparingly in two years at Florida and logged 15 total minutes, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and one assist. He redshirted as a true freshman during Florida's national championship season, then made his college debut in a 104-64 win over North Florida last November.
Three games after that debut, he scored his first college points on a free throw after being fouled and picked up his first rebound in college. By the time he left Gainesville, he had become the tallest person ever to play college basketball.
Turner Adds Frontcourt Size
Russell Turner said in a statement, "Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community," and added, "He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine." Turner also said, "We’ve 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."
Turner went further, saying, "Olivier’s unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program." He added, "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."
UC Irvine's Big West Run
UC Irvine won the Big West regular-season title last season before losing in the Big West tournament and ending up in the NIT. Rioux gives the Anteaters a rare roster piece: a 7-foot-9 center whose size already made him one of the most recognizable players in the sport, but whose college game has been limited to 15 total minutes so far.
The move gives Turner a player with visibility and upside, but also one who still has to turn a handful of scattered Florida minutes into a real role. For UC Irvine, the signing is about adding size now and developing it over time.
