Gators Run It Back: Rueben Chinyelu Returns to Florida

All the boys are back in town.

Gators center Rueben Chinyelu is officially returning to Gainesville for a chance to rewrite history, electing to forgo the 2026 NBA Draft and reclaim the championship crown from 2025. He joins Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon on their decisions to return, reuniting “The Big Three” of this Florida team for the 2025-26 season.

As a result, the Gators lost no players to the draft and just two to the transfer portal (Olivier Rioux and Micah Handlogten). 

For Chinyelu, he announced he would test the NBA Draft waters on April 20.

“I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while maintaining my college eligibility to return to the University of Florida if I decide to withdraw,” he posted on Instagram.

The Naismith and SEC Defensive Player of the Year had the longest wingspan and largest hand length at the NBA Draft Combine. Chinyelu also shot 44% from behind the arc, adding to his draft stock.

CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein projected Chinyelu as a first-round draft pick at No. 25 on Thursday before his withdrawal.

“My decision, it just depends on where I’m going to be picked in the draft,” Chinyelu told Andy Katz last week. “I had this conversation when I was being interviewed by some of the teams.”

Last season, the 6-food-10, 265-pound Nigerian player averaged a double-double with 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. 

He is the first Gators player in 50 years to average double figures in rebounds and set the single-season record with 137 on offense in 2026. He also sits third all time with 393 total rebounds in his two seasons in Gainesville.

This return points to another dominant year on the frontcourt. In the backcourt, the Gators are still waiting for Denzel Aberdeen’s waiver clearance before he joins Boogie Fland and SEC Sixth Man of the Year Urban Klavzar.

Coach Todd Golden’s roster is expected to cost roughly $25 million in 2026-27.

Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Men's Basketball