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Rueben Chinyelu makes final decision on NBA Draft status, per report
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Florida big man Rueben Chinyelu was a major piece for Todd Golden in the run by the Gators to the national championship. Now, Chinyelu is providing a spark to Florida as the program enters the 2025-26 season.
According to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Chinyelu has announced he will withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft. A 6-foot-11 center, Chinyelu had been investigating going pro, but now he returns as a major contributor for the Gators, entering next season.
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This past season, Chinyelu started all 40 games for a Gators program that went 36-4 all season long. Florida would capture the SEC Tournament and roll through a magnificent March Madness run.
Chinyelu’s most productive game in the postseason came with 10 points and 8 rebounds in a Sweet 16 win over Maryland. He also had 9 rebounds and 2 steals in the Final Four matchup with Auburn and 3 points, 5 rebounds and a block in the national championship game vs. Houston.
In his first season since transferring from Washington State, Chinyelu averaged 6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks while shooting 59.9% from the floor. Along with Thomas Haugh, Chinyelu gives the Gators a key piece in the frontcourt to build around coming off the national title.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
