Florida C Rueben Chinyelu has to switch numbers after jersey ripped up against Arizona
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Rueben Chineylu had to make a uniform change in the first game of the 2025-26 season.
In the first half of Florida vs. Arizona in Las Vegas, UF’s starting center had to get the attention of the officials to inform them that the front of his jersey had been completely ripped off. Though there was obvious contact, no foul was called.
Rueben Chinyelu's Florida jersey was "completely torn off the front" against Arizona.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 4, 2025
Brian Andreson and Grant Hill with the call for TNT Sports. pic.twitter.com/aPZFJlK0DS
Chinyelu’s normally wears jersey No. 9. He’ll be wearing No. 34 the rest of the night after the tear. Reporter Andy Katz noted on the TNT broadcast that the Gator staff brought 1 backup jersey and 2 pairs of shorts.
Florida trails Arizona 50-46 at the half after leading by 12 points in the early going. Chinyelu played 12 minutes in the half, logging 2 points on 1-of-4 shooting with 1 rebound.
We’ll see if Chinyelu and the No. 3 Gators can make a second-half comeback against the No. 13 Wildcats.
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Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
