Rueben Chinyelu withdraws from NBA draft, returns to Florida

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st May, 14:23 2026

Florida center Rueben Chinyelu (9) shoots during second half of NCAA March Madness opening round at Benchmark international Arena in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. Florida won 114-55.[Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu withdrew from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to a loaded Florida lineup, the university announced on Thursday.

Chinyelu, 22, averaged 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds in 35 games (all starts) last season for the Gators. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound center set Florida single-season records with 19 double-doubles and 137 offensive rebounds.

Chinyelu took part in the NBA combine in Chicago last week before opting to return to Gainesville, Fla.

Florida has 11 players returning from a team that won the Southeastern Conference championship in 2025-26. Those players include All-SEC forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon as well as guard Boogie Fland.

Chinyelu has played two seasons at Florida after transferring from Washington State following the 2023-24 campaign.

--Field Level Media

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