UF starting sophomore center Rueben Chinyelu (9) is in his first season since transferring from Washington State.
Chinyelu's Only Expectations Are to Win
Thursday, November 7, 2024 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
Share:
By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The line was uttered at a preseason practice (and just as easily could have been any Florida basketball practice dating back to June) after 6-foot-10½, 255-pound center Rueben Chinyelu had banged and beaten on teammate Alex Condon (no slouch at 6-11, 230) during an intraquad scrimmage. Condon had soldiered through his share of Chinyelu's flying forearms and shoving shoulders, picking himself off the floor each time.
As the players walked off the court for a water break, senior guard Walter Clayton Jr., to no one in particular, had this to say: "Condo's gonna have CTE before we even get to the season." Rueben Chinyelu
That's the brand of physical, rim-protecting, rebound-chasing basketball the Gators have come to see from Chinyelu, the sophomore Nigerian transfer from Washington State. That version of Chinyelu wasn't on display in the team's 98-83 season-opening win Monday night against South Florida at Jacksonville. Chinyelu finished with two points, four rebounds and a block in 15 minutes.
UF fans who'd heard about the team's new physical specimen in the post were probably expecting more then and will be looking for more Thursday night when the No. 21 Gators (1-0) take on Jacksonville U (1-0) in the home opener at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center.
But what of Chinyelu's expectations of himself?
"I expect to help us win," Chinyelu said. "That is all I care about."
[Read senior writer Chris Harry's "Pregame Stuff" setup here]
Rewind to Monday night. UF, after falling behind by 13 in the first half, had rallied to make it a back-and-forth game of eight lead changes and three ties midway through the second period. The Gators led by just one when Chinyelu, whose plus/minus tally in the first half was a minus-10, checked into the game after Condon picked up a fourth foul with just under 11 minutes remaining and Florida ahead by just one.
Chinyelu finished the game at a plus-3. The Gators, with their big center trolling the paint for most of a 17-2 run, finished with a comfy double-digit victory.
"His best rotation of the night," Coach Todd Golden said.
Chinyelu's second-half line score showed just two points and two rebounds, but the box score didn't reflect the times he ducked in underneath UF's ball-screen action and used his muscular frame and 7-8 wingspan to seal off defenders and allow UF's guards – not shooting particularly well from deep – to drive the paint and get to the rim.
He had five of those instances in the second half.
"I just try to make way, just try and kind of utilize space I have and make opportunity," Chinyelu said through his African accent. "Utilize my ground, occupy my ground."
His coaches call them "winning plays."
Rueben Chinyelu (left) seals his USF defender so Will Richard (5) can drive the lane for two of his career-high 25 points Monday night.
"The biggest thing, with him, what makes him great, is his motor" said UF associate head coach Carlin Hartman, who tutors the team's frontcourt players. "When Rueben plays with unabashed effort all the time that's when he's at his best."
That Chinyelu didn't stat particularly well against the Bulls might suggest he wasn't at his best, but it was only his first game as a Gator and only the 13th start of his young career after averaging 4.7 points (on 62-percent shooting), 5.0 rebounds over 13.8 minutes in mostly a reserve role for the NCAA Tournament-qualifying Cougars as a freshman last season. First-game jitters are not uncommon.
"I would say he was a bit on his heels, that maybe he was overthinking things a little bit and they were going a little too fast for him," Hartman said. "That's OK. Especially as he gets more and more accustomed to being one of the [starting] five guys."
When compared to the team's other three rotational "bigs" – Condon, along with reserves Thomas Haugh and Sam Alexis, the transfer from Tennessee-Chattanooga – Chinyelu is the rawest of the bunch when it comes to offensive skill set. His athleticism, bounce and potential on the glass, however, make for an elite package that eventually will show up.
Maybe against the Dolphins and in front of the Rowdy Reptiles, who are going to love this guy.
"Whatever it takes to win. Being able to take care of little details and small, small things, the hustle plays to get my team going, that is me," Chinyelu said. "I'm just going to try to do everything. If that's getting bucket or guarding whoever, getting people off the ball, that's what I am going to do. Make us in good shape to get us winning. I'll do anything it takes."
Florida Men's Basketball | Rueben Chinyelu THROWS IT DOWN for the Two-Handed Slam 💪Florida Men's Basketball | Rueben Chinyelu THROWS IT DOWN for the Two-Handed Slam 💪
