The Nebraska Cornhuskers just wrapped up what might be their most successful men's basketball season ever. Now, they have a unique opportunity to potentially build on that success by adding a towering presence to their roster-Olivier Rioux, the only 7-foot-9 player in college basketball.
Rioux is planning to enter the transfer portal, as reported by college basketball insider Jeff Goodman. This isn't just a random connection for Nebraska. Back when Rioux was being recruited, Nebraska was one of only two high-major schools expressing interest, alongside Florida, where he eventually played.
Although Rioux didn't receive a scholarship offer from the Cornhuskers, their recruitment efforts were notable enough to be listed on his 247Sports recruiting page. Other schools that showed interest included Stetson, Florida Atlantic, and Coastal Carolina.
During his time with the Florida Gators, Rioux redshirted for their national championship-winning team last year and saw limited action this season, appearing in 11 games. Over the 2025-26 season, he logged 16 minutes on the court, hitting 3-of-6 field goals and 1-of-2 free throws, totaling 7 points. He also grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out an assist, committed a turnover, and picked up two fouls.
While Rioux might not yet have the mobility or strength to dominate at a major program, his height is an undeniable asset. Nebraska might consider revisiting their interest in Rioux, recognizing that he's had the opportunity to develop within a strong program over the past two seasons.