GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The world's tallest teenager might have to wait a year to become the world's tallest college basketball player.
Florida coach Todd Golden said Thursday that Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 freshman who owns a spot in the Guinness record book, is planning to redshirt. Had the popular Canadian played in even one game, he would have burned one of his four seasons of college eligibility.
Instead, Rioux will spend the 2024-25 season practicing with teammates and honing his skills -- and will still be a freshman next fall.
"I should have made that clear [before]," Golden said.