A teenager standing 7 feet 9 inches (2.36 meters) tall has made history as the tallest player to score a basket in college basketball. Olivier Liu, playing for the Florida Gators, dunked late in their 102-61 victory over St. Francis on Wednesday. The 19-year-old from Canada became the tallest athlete to compete in college basketball when he debuted last month. In 2021, Guinness World Records recognized him as the tallest teenager at 7 feet 5 inches (2.26 meters). This dunk marked his first, though he previously made a free throw against Merrimack on November 21.
Looking ahead, if Olivier Liu reaches the NBA, he would surpass the height of all current players. The league’s tallest player is 21-year-old French star Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who is 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters). Following him is Zach Eady of the Memphis Grizzlies at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 meters). The NBA also features three players standing 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters): Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), and Kristaps Porzingis (Atlanta Hawks). Historically, the tallest NBA players were Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan, each standing 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 meters). Bol played from 1985 to 1997, while Muresan, known as the Giant, played from 1991 to 2001.
Fan Take: Olivier Liu’s remarkable height and emerging skills could redefine what it means to dominate on the basketball court, exciting fans who love to see unique physical traits translate into game-changing performances. His presence in college basketball may inspire a new generation of tall athletes and could introduce an unprecedented dynamic to professional basketball if he makes it to the NBA.
