Meet the Towering Stars of the 2025 NCAA Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The 2025 NCAA Tournament has brought attention to the unique physical attributes of college basketball players, especially the towering figures standing at the center of the action. This year, 12 players measuring 7 feet 1 inch or taller are making headlines, including Canada’s Olivier Rioux, who at 7 feet 9 inches is poised to become the tallest player in college basketball history.

Rioux, a freshman from Florida, opted to redshirt this season but has already caught the eye of fans and media. His presence on the bench, towering over teammates as he cheers them on, has generated buzz in the basketball community. “It’s exciting to see someone of that height and what he could bring to the game,” said Gators coach Todd Golden.

While Rioux holds the title for the tallest player, he’s not alone in dominating the NCAA courts. Other notable players in this season’s tournament include Trent Burns of Missouri (7-5), Daniel Jacobsen of Purdue (7-4), and Aday Mara from UCLA (7-3). Teams have to strategize around these height advantages, especially during intense matchups in the tournament’s later rounds.

In a season rich with memorable moments, Florida recently won the SEC Championship. During the celebratory net-cutting ceremony, Rioux’s height became a humorous spectacle when he reached up to cut the net without needing a ladder, a moment caught on camera by the SEC Network. His towering presence is making waves, but it also translates into significant advantages on the court, where height can often dictate play styles and outcomes.

The list of tallest players continues beyond Rioux, bringing a variety of talents to the competition:

• 1. Olivier Rioux (Florida) – 7’9”
• 2. Trent Burns (Missouri) – 7’5”
• 3. Daniel Jacobsen (Purdue) – 7’4”
• 4. Aday Mara (UCLA) – 7’3”
• 5. Will Berg (Purdue) – 7’2”
• 6. Hunter Dickinson (Kansas) – 7’2”
• 7. Zvonimir Ivisic (Arkansas) – 7’2”
• 8. Vladislav Goldin (Michigan) – 7’1”
• 9. Micah Handlogten (Florida) – 7’1”
• 10. Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton) – 7’1”
• 11. Andrew McKeever (Saint Mary's) – 7’1”
• 12. J.T. Rock (Iowa State) – 7’1”
• 13. Harry Wessels (Saint Mary’s) – 7’1”

As teams advance within the bracket, attention remains on the performances of these colossal players. For instance, Goldin from Michigan was instrumental in leading his team into the Sweet 16, averaging impressive statistics throughout the tournament. He scored 14 points with eight rebounds in an opening-round victory and tallied 23 points along with 12 rebounds in a subsequent round against Texas A&M.

The varying heights of these players create distinct challenges for their counterparts, as smaller teams must contend with the potential mismatches that a 7-foot player presents. As the tournament progresses, the strategies to cope with these towering athletes will likely dictate the fate of many teams vying for the championship.