Rueben Chinyelu is vying to become the first Gator in 50 years to average double-figure rebounds.
Rueben Chinyelu Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Late-Season Team
Friday, February 27, 2026 | Men's Basketball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida men's basketball junior center Rueben Chinyelu has been named to the Naismith Men's College Defensive Player of the Year Late-Season Team, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Friday.
Chinyelu ranks second nationally in rebounding (11.5) and fifth in offensive rebounding (4.2). From Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, Chinyelu has started at center in all 68 games as a Gator over the past two seasons, helping UF to a 58-10 record as a starter. He provides a versatile defensive presence as a bulwark in the paint who has feet quick enough to contain guards on the perimeter.
Chinyelu has posted three 20-rebounds games this season alone, something no Gator has done in their entire career over the past 50 years. He has notched 16 double-doubles, tied for second-most in a season in Florida history, and his 323 rebounds this season already rate as a top-10 season all-time for the Gators.
Chinyelu and the Gators return to action on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., hosting No. 20 Arkansas in a sold-out SEC clash.
Chinyelu ranks second nationally in rebounding (11.5) and fifth in offensive rebounding (4.2). From Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, Chinyelu has started at center in all 68 games as a Gator over the past two seasons, helping UF to a 58-10 record as a starter. He provides a versatile defensive presence as a bulwark in the paint who has feet quick enough to contain guards on the perimeter.
Chinyelu has posted three 20-rebounds games this season alone, something no Gator has done in their entire career over the past 50 years. He has notched 16 double-doubles, tied for second-most in a season in Florida history, and his 323 rebounds this season already rate as a top-10 season all-time for the Gators.
Chinyelu and the Gators return to action on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., hosting No. 20 Arkansas in a sold-out SEC clash.
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Late-Season Team
| Athlete | Team |
|---|---|
| Flory Bidunga | Kansas |
| Cameron Boozer | Duke |
| Jaden Bradley | Arizona |
| Maliq Brown | Duke |
| Javontae Campbell | Bowling Green |
| Rueben Chinyelu | Florida |
| Somto Cyril | Georgia |
| Silas Demary Jr. | UConn |
| Zuby Ejiofor | St. John's |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | Michigan |
| Tamin Lipsey | Iowa State |
| Aday Mara | Michigan |
| Tyler Tanner | Vanderbilt |
| Joseph Tugler | Houston |
| Ernest Udeh Jr. | Miami |
Players Mentioned
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