Olivier Rioux is entering the transfer portal.
According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Olivier Rioux is entering the 2026 NCAA transfer portal.
“Florida 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux plans to enter the Transfer Portal, a source tells On3,” Tipton tweeted.
The transfer portal officially opens on April 7 and closes on April 21. However, players have to announce their intention before the close date, not sign with a new team.
Rioux has seen sparse action since joining the Florida Gators before the 2024-25 campaign. The 7-9, 305-pound redshirt freshman totaled 15 minutes over 11 appearances this past season, totaling six points (3 offensive) on 50% shooting and six rebounds. His most productive game came in the Gators first-round NCAA tournament victory over Prairie View A&M, where he tallied two points on 1 of 3 shooting, along with two rebounds and one assist in two minutes.
Rioux’s Improvement
“[Rioux’s] hands have gotten better, Florida head coach Todd Golden said before the season. “His feet and comfort on the floor have improved. He’s had an incredibly good summer.”
Despite not getting much playing time, Rioux has earned his former teammates’ respect. The 20-year-old Quebec native redshirted during the Gators 2024-25 national championship run after reclassifying to the class of 2024 late. Besides working on his game with the Gators, Rioux has spent time with Team Canada youth national teams the past two summers.
“Anytime we’re playing and set up an opportunity to get our guys in, we do that,” Chinyelu said about Rioux and other seldom-used players following the win over Prairie View. “Because they grind. You don’t see behind the scenes. They’re getting ready, they’re getting us ready. They play with us to try make sure when we go out there that we’re able to deliver.
“So I think that’s the gift, the time that we give them, to pay them back as a thank you for what you guys are doing,” Chinyelu added. They get us better, and then we go out there and perform. Doing that is like saying ‘without you guys, we couldn’t be here’ because it’s all rubbing off on each other.”
