Trump Welcomes Florida Gators to the White House

President Trump doesn’t often welcome anyone taller than his own son, Baron, who stands at 6’9″. However, on Wednesday, he made an exception for 7’9″ Canadian basketball star, Olivieriux, who visited the Oval Office as part of the Florida Gators’ celebration of their NCAA National Championship win.

The Gators visited 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to mark their recent championship victory. And it seems that Olivieriux’s remarkable height certainly caught Trump’s attention. White House Communications Advisor Margo Martin even shared a video showcasing their humorous interaction.

In the video, Trump asked Olivieriux about his height, calling him a “beautiful looking guy,” which elicited laughter from the 19-year-old. The president continued, indicating that having that level of height is, well, pretty advantageous. “What a big advantage, boy, isn’t it?” Trump remarked, showing genuine curiosity about his basketball skills.

While Olivieriux didn’t play in the Gators’ recent championship game in Houston, the Florida coach mentioned he was an essential part of the team in other ways. Trump seemed interested in his performance, leading to discussions about how Rioux’s size would be beneficial on the court.

It’s clear that the Gators have high hopes for Rioux. He was among the most sought-after international recruits, and though he’s just 19, the coach feels there’s so much more potential to be unlocked beyond his natural gifts.

Rioux, who already stood tall at 7’6″ in high school, was noted to be a challenge for opposing players. Given that the Gators have a championship-caliber team, they’ve opted to redshirt him this season, planning for him to play next year under coach Todd Golden. There are expectations that he will help lead the team to more championships and, possibly, more visits to the White House.