Rueben Chinyelu scored 16 points in the second half of Saturday's win at Vanderbilt.
Rueben Chinyelu Named SEC Player of the Week
Monday, January 19, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Florida men's basketball junior center Rueben Chinyelu has been named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career, the SEC announced on Monday. Chinyelu posted double-doubles in a pair of road wins for the Gators last week.
Chinyelu tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Gators' win at 10th-ranked Vanderbilt on Saturday, including a 16-point second half. That came on the heels of 19 points and 12 rebounds in the win at Oklahoma on Tuesday.
The Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, native shot .700 from the field (14-for-20) over the two games and knocked down all 11 free throw attempts, including four in a row at Vanderbilt that helped swing momentum toward the Gators. Chinyelu's 22 rebounds this week led the SEC, and he was the only SEC player to go 100% from the line with 10+ attempts.
Chinyelu is averaging 11.8 points and 10.7 rebounds this season, and is attempting to become the first Gator in 50 years to average double-figure rebounds (Bob Smyth, 12.7, 1975-76).
Coupled with Thomas Haugh's SEC Player of the Week earlier this season (Nov. 17), the Gators have multiple SEC Player of the Week winners for the first time since Colin Castleton and Tre Mann did so in 2020-21. It's the first time two non-guard Gators have won the award in a season since Udonis Haslem and Matt Bonner in 2001-02.
The 16th-ranked Gators return to action on their home court Tuesday at 7 p.m. vs. LSU.
2025-26 Florida Men's Basketball Ticket
Single-game tickets for all remaining 2025-26 Florida men's basketball home games are on sale. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets soon for marquee SEC weekend matchups, including Auburn (Jan. 24), Alabama (Feb. 1), Kentucky (Feb. 14), and Arkansas (Feb. 28), as only a limited number of seats are available. Tickets can be purchased at FloridaGators.com, by calling the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or in person at Gate 2 on the west side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
O'Connell Center Goes Cashless Beginning Jan. 16
The Stephen C. O'Connell Center has gone cashless starting Friday, Jan. 16. All concession and merchandise locations will accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, helping reduce lines and speed up service. Fans who bring cash can easily exchange it for a gift card at concession stand 222 inside Gate 1. Enjoy a smoother, more streamlined experience at the O'Connell Center!
Chinyelu tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Gators' win at 10th-ranked Vanderbilt on Saturday, including a 16-point second half. That came on the heels of 19 points and 12 rebounds in the win at Oklahoma on Tuesday.
The Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, native shot .700 from the field (14-for-20) over the two games and knocked down all 11 free throw attempts, including four in a row at Vanderbilt that helped swing momentum toward the Gators. Chinyelu's 22 rebounds this week led the SEC, and he was the only SEC player to go 100% from the line with 10+ attempts.
Chinyelu is averaging 11.8 points and 10.7 rebounds this season, and is attempting to become the first Gator in 50 years to average double-figure rebounds (Bob Smyth, 12.7, 1975-76).
Coupled with Thomas Haugh's SEC Player of the Week earlier this season (Nov. 17), the Gators have multiple SEC Player of the Week winners for the first time since Colin Castleton and Tre Mann did so in 2020-21. It's the first time two non-guard Gators have won the award in a season since Udonis Haslem and Matt Bonner in 2001-02.
The 16th-ranked Gators return to action on their home court Tuesday at 7 p.m. vs. LSU.
2025-26 Florida Men's Basketball Ticket
Single-game tickets for all remaining 2025-26 Florida men's basketball home games are on sale. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets soon for marquee SEC weekend matchups, including Auburn (Jan. 24), Alabama (Feb. 1), Kentucky (Feb. 14), and Arkansas (Feb. 28), as only a limited number of seats are available. Tickets can be purchased at FloridaGators.com, by calling the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or in person at Gate 2 on the west side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
O'Connell Center Goes Cashless Beginning Jan. 16
The Stephen C. O'Connell Center has gone cashless starting Friday, Jan. 16. All concession and merchandise locations will accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, helping reduce lines and speed up service. Fans who bring cash can easily exchange it for a gift card at concession stand 222 inside Gate 1. Enjoy a smoother, more streamlined experience at the O'Connell Center!
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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