Overview
- Rioux, who announced the move on Instagram on Thursday, was welcomed in an official UC Irvine release that included a statement from coach Russell Turner.
- The 20-year-old Canadian played sparingly at Florida, logging 11 games and about 16 total minutes across two seasons for seven points and six rebounds.
- Florida’s deep frontcourt featuring Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh limited his path to minutes, with Rueben Chinyelu weighing an NBA decision during the offseason.
- UC Irvine finished 23-12 last season and won the Big West regular-season title, and Turner previously developed 7-foot-6 Mamadou Ndiaye into a defensive award winner.
- Rioux is listed at 7-foot-9 and has been reported as the tallest player in college history, with brief cameos that included a two-handed dunk and the first recorded score by a player his height.