Florida center Rueben Chinyelu has withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to the Florida Gators for the upcoming season, according to reporting from Jon Rothstein on Thursday, May 21.
Rothstein stated that Chinyelu confirmed his decision to return to Gainesville, marking a significant roster development for Florida heading into the next campaign. The move keeps one of the team’s most productive interior players in college basketball.
NBA Draft Combine notes from Evan Sidery highlighted Chinyelu as one of the standout performers in scrimmage settings. He was also measured with the largest wingspan at the event, a physical trait that contributed to increased attention from scouts during the evaluation process.
Chinyelu’s production at Florida showed steady growth across two seasons. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 6.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while starting all 40 appearances. His efficiency inside the arc remained a consistent feature of his game.
During the 2025-26 season, his role expanded significantly, and he averaged 10.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.0 block per game across 35 starts. He also shot 58.4 percent from the field while increasing his minutes to 24.5 per game.
Across his collegiate career, which began at Washington State before transferring, Chinyelu established himself as a high-efficiency interior presence. He posted career averages of 7.1 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field.
The decision strengthens Florida’s continuity under head coach Todd Golden, with the program retaining a core group that played a key role in the 2025 national championship season. The returning group includes Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, and Urban Klavzar, alongside Chinyelu.
