Gators’ big man Rueben Chinyelu weighs NBA future as Florida eyes another title

GAINESVILLE —  Florida standout center Rueben Chinyelu has a decision to make that will shape the future of  Todd Golden’s Gators . Chinyelu, the anchor of the nation’s top rebounding team in 2025-26, could return for his senior season and provide another key piece to a deep and talented roster featuring All-SEC forward Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon and an experienced backcourt led by point guard Boogie Fland. Chinyelu declared for the NBA Draft in April, and then held his own during last week’s draft combine in Chicago.

Now the 22-year-old will have to decide by May 27 where he’ll play next season. “It just depends on where I’m going to be picked on the draft,” he told reporter Andy Katz . “I had this conversation when I was being interviewed by some of the teams.

That’s something I’m going to weigh and ultimately decide if I want to stay in the draft or I want to go back to school. ” Chinyelu is generally considered a second-round prospect. Yahoo Sports now projects him to go with the 14th pick of the second round to San Antonio.

In Chicago, Chinyelu’s physical stature stood out. The native of Nigeria measured at 6-foot-9¼ without shoes and 259 pounds. He recorded a combine-best hand length of 10 inches and wingspan of 7-feet-7½ inches , while his standing reach of 9-foot-3½ inches ranked fifth among the 78 prospects.