Florida freshman center Olivier Rioux made history on Thursday by becoming the tallest person to ever play college basketball in the Gators’ 104-64 win against North Florida.

The 7-foot-9 center checked into the game with just over two minutes remaining. Rioux made history as the crowd chanted “We want Ollie” in the buildup.

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“It felt great,” Rioux said following Florida’s win. “The support from everybody was amazing, even on the bench and even the fans. I think everyone supported me. I’m very grateful.”

Born in Canada, Rioux played basketball at IMG Academy before joining the Gators in 2024. He became redshirted after not making an appearance for the 2024-25 season. Rioux also represented Canada at the youth level, helping his country win two bronze medals at the U16 and U18 levels.

The center’s debut on Thursday surpassed Kenny George and Mike Lanier‘s record as the tallest players to play college basketball, both of whom at 7-foot-7.

Florida coach Todd Golden knew he was going to put Rioux into the game when the Gators held a 24 point advantage by halftime. With fans demanding his appearance, and the team extending its lead to 41 points with about two minutes left, Golden decided to call his name.

“Obviously, the game was in our control, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to get him out there and get his first college experience,” Golden said. “I think he was pretty excited. It was pretty neat for him to finally see the floor.”

Florida’s next game will be against in-state rivals Florida State on Tuesday at the O’Connell Center.

During the tournament, Florida had built up a reputation as comeback kids. Deficits of eight against UConn, ten against Texas Tech and nine against Auburn weren’t enough to stop the Gators from keeping their season alive.

Florida somehow did it again.

The Gators trailed 42-30 at the 16:42 mark of the second half. From there, they turned it into high gear. Florida outscored Houston 35-21 from that point to secure Florida’s third national championship and their first since going back-to-back in ’06-’07.

With 19 seconds left and the ball down 65-63, Houston had one last possession to tie or take the lead. Kelvin Sampson drew up a play for Emanuel Sharp at the top of the key, only for him to jump mid-air without shooting and drop the ball.

Alex Condon grabbed the loose ball and a new national champion was crowned.

Sharp was reportedly “distraught” at the mistake and did not attend the post-game press conference.

Despite the comeback, this win didn’t come in typical Florida style. Walter Clayton Jr., who’s made a name for himself by performing in big spots, ended the first half with zero points. It was only his second time this season doing so. Clayton finished the game with 11 points on 3-10 shooting.

Instead, Will Richard kept the Gators afloat with four 3-pointers in the first half. From there, Clayton was able to pick up some steam.

For Houston, it’s hard to imagine a more painful way to lose the National Championship.

Coming off a historic comeback of their own against Duke in the Final Four, surrendering one of your own is a tough pill to swallow.

Sharp, who is typically one of the most accurate shooters in the country, finished the game going 1-7 from three. Houston star L.J. Cryer finished shooting 6-18.

As a team, Houston ended the game, shooting 34.8% from the field.

For Houston, they are projected to have one of the top rosters in college basketball next season. According to ESPN BET, Houston has the second-best odds to win the National Championship in 2026, just behind Duke.

Florida will lose arguably its three best players, Clayton, Alijah Martin and Richard. It’s unlikely they will maintain this season’s success.

If you’re a Florida fan, however, does it even matter?

Former University of Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of breach of the peace Wednesday. The plea was part of a deal in which five felony child pornography charges were dropped.

Kitna was arrested on Nov. 30 last year after local officers received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a Discord account in the Gainesville area had been distributing images of child sexual abuse. All of his electronic devices were seized.

A subsequent investigation by the Gainsville Police Department found that Kitna was the probable owner of the account, which had shared two images of young girls being sexually abused. Images of sexual abuse were also allegedly found on Kitna’s phone.

As a result of the plea deal, Kitna was sentenced to one year probation, which can be shortened to six months as part of his parole terms. He will not have to register as a sex offender.

“I’m thankful for all of their support during this time,” Kitna said from a statement in court. “Watching how this has affected the ones closest to me has been the most difficult during this process. I’ve learned some very valuable lessons. I will apply these lessons to my life moving forward. With my family’s support and love, I am thankful I can now put this behind me.”

Following Kitna’s arrest, the Gainsville Police Department released a statement advising parents to be aware of their children’s social networking activity.

“The Gainesville Police Department wants parents to be aware that children are solicited and exploited through social networking applications,” the statement said. “Those social networking applications … are also used to share images and videos which depict young children being sexually abused.”

Kitna appeared in four games for Florida last season as the backup quarterback behind Anthony Richardson. His father played in the NFL from 1996 to 2011 and 2013 and coached him at Burleson High School in Texas.

University of Florida backup quarterback Jalen Kitna, son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, was arrested by Gainesville Police on Wednesday. The Florida player has been charged with two counts of distribution of child exploitation material and three counts of possession of child pornography.

According to the Gainesville Police Department, local officers received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a Discord account in the Gainesville area had been distributing images of child sexual abuse. The account was later tied to Kitna’s name and residence. He was booked on Wednesday afternoon.

“Kitna stated that he remembered sharing the two images but believed them to be ‘legal,’ since he found them online,” a statement from the police department said. “Kitna advised that he realized he should not have shared those two images, based on the reaction from the other Discord user that he shared them with. Kitna advised shortly after that his Discord account was deactivated and that he assumed someone reported him.”

Following his arrest, all of Kitna’s electronics were seized and police claimed that further investigation revealed three more images of child sexual abuse. If Kitna is convicted, he could face a minimum of five years in prison. Mere possession of such material could carry a maximum of 10 years alone.

“The Gainesville Police Department wants parents to be aware that children are solicited and exploited through social networking applications,” the statement said. “Those social networking applications … are also used to share images and videos which depict young children being sexually abused.”

Since joining the Florida roster in 2020, Kitna missed his first season with an injury and redshirted. He appeared in four games this season as backup quarterback behind Anthony Richardson. His father played in the NFL from 1996 to 2011 and 2013 and coached him at Burleson High School in Texas.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson announced on Sunday that he will no longer go by the nickname “AR-15” or use it for branding purposes.

The moniker, which combines his initials and jersey number, is also the name of the assault rifle used in mass shootings including the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers in May.

The Gators quarterback released a statement explaining his decision.

“After discussions with my family and much thought, I have decided to no longer use the nickname ‘AR-15’ and the current apparel line logo, which features a scope reticle, as part of my branding,” the statement read. “White a nickname is only a nickname and ‘AR-15’ was simply a representation of my initials combined with my jersey number, it is important to me that my name and brand are no longer associated with the assault rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form. My representatives and I are currently working on rebranding, which includes the creation of a new logo and transition to simply using ‘AR’ and my name, Anthony Richardson.”

https://twitter.com/GVOaant/status/1548751660385697794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548751660385697794%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fflorida-qb-anthony-richardson-drops-ar-15-nickname-as-mass-shootings-persist-215104535.html

Richardson, who is going into his redshirt sophomore season, backed up starter Emory Jones last year. Despite playing off the bench and dealing with a knee injury late in the season, Richardson contributed by throwing for six passing touchdowns and adding three more on the ground. Richardson is expected to take over starting duties for the Gators as Jones transferred to Arizona State earlier this year.

The Florida Gators have shared good news regarding their basketball star Keyontae Johnson. The star basketball player had collapsed during last Saturday’s game. This occurred during a time-out, and he was walking with teammates before suddenly collapsing face first. His teammates called for medical personnel immediately. He was taken to a hospital where he was said to have been in stable condition but under a medically induced coma. Now he is awake and talking with his teammates, parents and the team.

The Gators released a Twitter statement providing an update from Johnson’s parents regarding Johnson’s condition. Johnson’s parents said, “Keyontae is in stable condition today, breathing on his own and speaking with his doctors here at UF Health. We feel so much love and support from everyone, and we’re beyond grateful for the care and attention that Keyontae has received throughout these past several days.”

Johnson tested positive for coronavirus over the summer. Coronavirus causes a complication called myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle. The cause of the sudden collapse is not known yet.

Gifted former NFL linebacker Neiron Ball passed away of a brain condition on Monday. He was 27.

Ball was first diagnosed with the brain condition, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), while he played for the University of Florida in 2011. That year, Ball went to the coaching staff complaining that he had trouble walking. When his AVM was discovered, doctors told him that vessels crucial to his heart and brain were tangled, had ruptured and were leaking blood down his spine. Ball was held out for a year after doctors performed a surgical procedure to repair the blood vessels. He made a comeback the following year and played so well that he went on to be selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Doctors originally stated that the condition would not return.

Ball had a promising but short career with the Oakland Raiders before being waived due to a knee injury. He rose to the starting linebacker position shortly after his rookie campaign.

AVM affects the veins that carry blood back from the brain to the heart. As arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain, veins carry the oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. With AVM, those veins become tangled and rupture, making it hard to return the blood back.

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Ball was able to return to football because statistics show that only four out of 100 people will experience a hemorrhage from AVM. Out of those cases of AVM, 15 to 20 percent of hemorrhages lead to death or a stroke and 30 percent of people losing mobility.

Last September, a brain aneurysm landed Ball at Emory Hospital in Georgia, where the doctors put him in a medically induced coma. The former linebacker’s family announced that he had come out of the coma and was now a paraplegic. Ball’s sister was caring for him in his hometown of Jackson, Georgia, where he had been a standout High School sprinter and jumper. Ball was then able to communicate with his mouth and eyes.

A GoFundMe page initially raised over $130,000 for uncovered medical bills for Ball.

In a move that is sure to shake up the landscape of the SEC next season, the Florida Gators have landed Virginia Tech transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr.

Blackshear, the #1 ranked graduate transfer recruit according to ESPN, announced on his Instagram account Wednesday his decision. On Instagram, Blackshear said, “My next chapter will begin in Gainesville, Florida.”

Besides Florida, Blackshear also was considering Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky. Blackshear was also considering a potential return to Virginia Tech.

Blackshear had entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal back in April. At the same time, Blackshear also entered his name in the NBA Draft. The feelers that Blackshear put out did not return results that satisfied Blackshear, prompting him to return to college basketball next season. It seems like a longshot, however, that no team in either round would not have elected to draft Blackshear at some point. Blackshear, according to sources, was expected to keep his name in the draft but withdrew it just hours before the deadline in May.

A 6’10” power forward, Blackshear averaged 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season for the Hokies. In Virginia Tech’s Sweet 16 loss against the Duke Blue Devils, Blackshear finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Blackshear is immediately eligible to play for the Gators, stemming from being medically redshirt during the 2016-2017 season because of a leg injury. Blackshear played the first three seasons of his collegiate career for Virginia Tech.

Blackshear is surprisingly the third Virginia Tech player to transfer to Florida in recent years, following the footsteps of Dorian Finnley-Smith and Jalen Hudson. At Florida, Blackshear joins an elite class recruited by head coach Mike White consisting of Scottie Lewis, Tre Mann, and Omar Payne. For a Gators team who struggled last season after somewhat of a rebirth under White the prior season, happy times look once again to be returning to Gainesville.

Another season has ended in disappointment for Michigan Wolverines (10-2) fans, as the team has failed to reach the playoffs again and will compete for a New Year’s game win against the Florida Gators (9-3) in the Peach Bowl.

Michigan To Play Florida In Peach Bowl Sans Gary

Selection Sunday yielded four playoff teams, including Alabama, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Clemson, with Michigan and rival Ohio State just missing out from the top four. The Wolverines will play in their second New Year’s Six Bowl in three years, but this year felt stark for fans, and coach Jim Harbaugh reflected on that.

“Our players have played a great season, our coaches have coached a great season,” Harbaugh said Sunday on a teleconference, when asked about how his team might be able to recover after a devastating loss to the Buckeyes. “We’ve overcome every adversity and nothing changes. It just means the work isn’t done.”

The work is done for world-renowned talent Rashan Gary, who has played his last game as a Michigan Wolverine. The defensive lineman declared for the NFL Draft last week following the loss to Ohio State and will begin training for his career in the big leagues.

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Gary, the No. 1-ranked recruit nationally in 2016, wrapped up his career with Michigan with 136 tackles (23.5 for a loss), 10 sacks and one forced fumble. At 6-foot-5 and 287 pounds, the defensive lineman is projected to be a top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, with many scoring Gary in the top 10 of available prospects come this spring.

Gary’s departure is just another disappointing reality of Michigan football, as the Big Ten title sits, again, in the clutches of the Buckeyes in Ohio. The right step forward into next season can be taken when No. 7 Michigan plays No. 10 Florida in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 29 in Atlanta, a game that will air on ESPN.

The No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats will visit the Florida Gators on Saturday, and here are all the facts to know before the big matchup.

Florida vs. Kentucky basketball preview

Florida beat Kentucky 66-64 in their previous game in Lexington on Jan. 20 after the hosts blew a late lead. The Wildcats (21-9, 10-7 SEC) are coming off a 96-78 home win over Ole Miss on Wednesday. After that, Kentucky freshman guard Quade Green said his team needs to “go to Florida and spank them.” The Wildcats have won four straight games.

The Gators (19-11, 10-7 SEC) have won their last two contests against No. 14 Auburn and Alabama.

Should the Wildcats win on Saturday, they would earn a top-four finish in the SEC.

Kentucky has gotten consistent scoring from Kevin Knox, all-around consistency from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, shot making from Green, hustle plays from Hamidou Diallo and Jarred Vanderbilt and bench scoring from PJ Washington. Sophomore Wenyen Gabriel has also been productive, and played one of his best games on Wednesday.

For Florida, junior guard Jalen Hudson has enjoyed a strong season thus far scoring-wise. He’s averaging 15 points and four rebounds per game.

Next week, Kentucky has the SEC Tournament in St. Louis.

Here are all the details for Saturday’s game:

Date: March 3, 2018

Time: 12 p.m. EST

Place: Exactech Arena, Gainseville, Florida

TV Channel: CBS

Online Stream: CBS Sports HQ

Odds: KenPom projects Kentucky to be a 3.5-point underdog. It gives Florida a 63-percent chance of winning. ESPN’s BPI predictor gives the Gators a 66.5-percent chance of winning.

MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 26: Malik Monk #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots against Justin Jackson #44 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Four-star wide receiver Jacob Copeland recommitted to the Florida Gators on Wednesday, which was National Signing Day, and his mother walked out of the announcement ceremony sooner than most people expected.

Jacob Copeland Florida Signing News

The 6-foot, 192-pound Copeland had narrowed down his recruiting decision to Florida and Alabama, where he made his final two official visits. The Pensacola (Fla.) Escambia High receiver — who is rated 69th nationally — was also heavily pursued by Tennessee, and hats from all three schools that were laying on the table before Copeland reached out to place the blue Gators cap on his head.

As soon as that happened, several people behind Copeland — as well as his mother, who was seated at the table with him — burst into tears. However, his mother — who was wearing an Alabama sweater and a Tennessee hat — also stepped off camera.

She did return to hug Jacob, and though some may imagine Copeland was upset by his mother’s action, it sure didn’t seem like it. The receiver was laughing, saying he wasn’t surprised about this given the type of person he knows his mom to be, the type to “put on a show,” he said:

Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher — Florida State’s former head coach —  and Nebraska were also among those who recently made Copeland an offer.

Watch Copeland explain his decision:

And then his mother returned:

Florida finished the 2017 season 7-4 and fifth in the SEC East.

Eddy Piñeiro, a sophomore kicker from the Florida Gators, amazed at practice Tuesday when he drilled an 81-yard field goal to break not just the college record, but also the NFL record.

Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro Makes 81-Yard Field Goal in Practice

The longest field goal in NCAA history is 67 yards, a mark that has been reached four times, most recently by Tom Odle for Fort Hays State in 1988. The college record for longest field goal without a tee and with the more-narrow modern goal-posts is 65 yards by Martin Gramatica of Kansas State in 1998.

The NFL record for the longest field goal, however, is 64 yards, set by the Denver Broncos’ Matt Prater in 2013.

Watch Piñeiro make the incredible kick without a helmet:

Obviously, the Florida star made this field goal without having to deal with a snap, an awkward field position or pressure from giant linemen rushing toward him, but a kick from your own 29-yard line — and not your opponent’s — is still very impressive.

This is not the first time Piñeiro has proved his kicking strength. In 2015, he made a 73-yard field goal, also during practice.

Also slightly less than two years ago, Texas kicker Nick Rose made an 80-yard field goal in practice without any pads.

Pineiro was one of the best kickers in the SEC last season. His 21 successful field goals (out of 25 attempts) tied for third among his counterparts in other teams in the conference. He also went 3-of-3 beyond 50 yards with a long of 54 yards.

Last fall, Pineiro was charged with two misdemeanors for allegedly damaging two scooters but was not arrested.

GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Florida Gators reacts after kicking a 54-yard field goal during the second half of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

The No. 5 Duke Blue Devils defeated the Florida Gators 84-74 in Tuesday’s Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, a game that was held to honor a legendary man: late basketball player, coach and broadcaster Jimmy Valvano. 

Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski Sends Touching Letter To Jim Valvano

The game is played to raise money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Valvano, a former NC State head coach, died of the disease in 1993 at the age of 47. Valvano’s inspirational story after leading the Wolfpack to the 1983 national championship and being diagnosed with cancer in 1992 is well-documented, as Valvano gave his memorable “Don’t ever give up” speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards.

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski became close friends with Valvano that year as Valvano underwent treatment at Duke Hospital, and Krzyzewski published a touching letter to his late friend through Dear World ahead of Tuesday’s game.

The letter reads:

“Dear Jimmy,

You and I became brothers during the last four or five months of your life. You knew that you were dying of cancer. You were in Duke Hospital and we spent a few nights every week together.

We had many moments.

The very best moment though was when you said,

“I’m gonna die, but I’m gonna win.”

I asked you, “What do you mean?”

And you said, “I want to beat cancer. After I die, when we’ve finally beat cancer I want to be there.”

I was with you when you died. And I never looked at our relationship as having a last moment. I always looked forward to the next moment.

I don’t remember the last thing I said to you, Jimmy.

And the reason I don’t is because I thought you would live forever.

Love your friend,

Mike”

Amile Jefferson led Duke to Tuesday’s victory with 24 points and 15 rebounds (both career highs).

”Amile played one of the great games,” Krzyzewski said. ”God bless him. He was fantastic.”

Luke Kennard scored 29 points and freshman Jayson Tatum added 22 for the Blue Devils (9-1), whose only loss this season was to Kansas– also at MSG– in the Champions Classic in November.

Twice in the final 8 minutes Florida (7-2) got within seven points but both times Kennard scored to hold off the Gators, once with a 3-pointer and again with a long layup off a steal.

Kevaughn Allen led Florida with 21 points, and John Egbunu finished with nine points and 12 rebounds.

”They were a better team tonight,” Florida coach Mike White said. ”I thought our guys were really jacked up for the opportunity. I thought Amile Jefferson was amazing, just absolutely amazing.”

Duke will next visit the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels in Las Vegas on Saturday, while Florida will visit the Florida State Seminoles on Sunday.

NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 06: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Florida Gators in the second half during the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Former Florida Gators quarterback and Edgewater High School football coach Chris Leak is under investigation for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, according to Orlando police.

Ex-Florida QB Chris Leak Under Investigation For Sexually Assaulting Minor

Leak, 31, has not been charged with a crime as of Wednesday evening, and could not be reached for comment.

The former QB resigned as head football coach at Edgewater on Monday after the team began the season 0-5. The alleged offense occurred on Sept. 5 and was reported on Monday.

The incident occurred in Edgewater’s athletic trainer office near the football field, according to an investigative report. Leak allegedly asked the girl to give him a massage, and came out of the shower wearing only a towel.

The girl told detective she massaged his back legs and he asked her to massage the front of his legs, the report said. The report also stated the girl said Leak then pulled her hands up to touch his genitals, or “grazed his genitals a few times,” as the report read.

The girl then left.

Leak drove her home, bought her food afterwards, and gave $100 to a friend who she told about the incident.

Police said the girl was “very upset” while describing the incident.

A spokeswoman for the State Attorney’s Office said it had not yet received any reports from police.

In college, Leak played under Ron Zook and Urban Meyer, leading UF to the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, where the Gators defeated Ohio State 41-14.

Leak was then signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2007 but did not make the regular-season roster. He then played in the Canadian Football League and in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators and Jacksonville Sharks.

Leak said he accepted the Edgewater job because he eagerly wanted to get back into coaching and spend more time living in Orlando with his wife and two young daughters.

Reached by phone, Edgewater’s athletic director Janet Rasmussen did not have a comment.

Florida quarterback Chris Leak sets to pass against Iowa in the 2006 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 2, 2006 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)