Rueben Chinyelu announces return to Florida basketball
Rueben Chinyelu's return is the final piece of the offseason puzzle for Florida basketball. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is back.
Florida basketball announced the return of 2025-26 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu on Thursday. A rising senior, Chinyelu went through the NBA draft process while retaining his college eligibility. Draft experts projected him as a second-round pick, around the No.
40 spot. Chinyelu told Andy Katz last week that his decision "depends on where I’m going to be picked in the draft," something he discussed with teams during the interview portion of the combine. Chinyelu averaged a double-double in 2025-26 with 10.
9 points and 11. 2 rebounds per game. He was the first Florida Gator in five decades to average more than 10 rebounds per game.
He also set the program single-season record with 19 double-doubles last year. the wait is over 🗣️🔥🔥 pic. twitter.