What it's like to be Olivier Rioux -- the tallest college basketball player ever

"GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- At an on-campus dining hall in September, a fork and knife looked like a toddler's toy utensils in the massive hands of Olivier Rioux. Everything about Florida's 7-foot-9, 305-pound center, is supersized -- just check the book of Guinness World Records, where he holds the official title for tallest teenager. "I wear size 20 shoes," Rioux told ESPN. "I eat 5,000 to 6,000 calories every day." It's fuel for a body with proportions college basketball has never seen."

"When he made his much-anticipated debut for the Gators in early November, Rioux (pronounced Ree-YOO) became the tallest player in college basketball history to check into a game. Two weeks after that, he became the tallest player to score a point after making a free throw. And in mid-December, he became the tallest player to record a field goal with a late-game dunk in a blowout win over Saint Francis."

"Before he even entered that game -- his third of five appearances so far this season -- the crowd in Gainesville began to chant, "We want Ollie! We want Ollie!" The loudest cheers of the night erupted when he rose from his seat on the bench and walked to the scorer's table to check in. Minutes later, that slam sent the fans into a frenzy. His teammates hopped on one another's shoulders, his coaches high-fived and fans pointed to the ceiling and screamed."

Olivier Rioux is a 7-foot-9, 305-pound redshirt freshman center for the Florida Gators who holds the Guinness World Records title for tallest teenager. He maintains a high-calorie diet and wears size 20 shoes to support his extraordinary proportions. Rioux became the tallest player in college basketball history to check into a game, to score a point, and to record a field goal with a late-game dunk. His appearances ignited chants and exuberant fan reactions in Gainesville. He grew up in Montreal, towered early over peers, and aims to earn more playing time while adjusting to college life. Florida views him as a promising project.

Read at ESPN.com