Rueben Chinyelu (9) became the first Gator in 50 years to average a double-double.
Chinyelu Among Four Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
Friday, March 27, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Florida men's basketball junior center Rueben Chinyelu has been named one of four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honor, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Friday.
Chinyelu was the anchor of a Florida defense that ranked sixth nationally in defensive efficiency and eighth in two-point field goal percentage defense. The Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, native was also one of the nation's elite rebounders, ranked fourth with an 11.2 rebounding average and ninth with 3.91 offensive rebounds per game.
Chinyelu set a Florida record with 19 double-doubles this season, and he is the first Gator in 50 years to average double-figure rebounds. He set a program record with 137 offensive rebounds, and his 393 total rebounds this season were more than any Gator other than the legendary Neal Walk. Chinyelu posted three 20-rebound games this season, the only Gator this century to hit the 20-board mark in a game and the only Florida player in the past 50 years to have three or more in his career.
The Southeastern Conference recognized Chinyelu as the league's SEC Defensive Player of the Year in addition to the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was also named a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team and the SEC Community Service Team.
The award winner will be announced Sunday, April 5, at the Naismith Awards Brunch during the Men's Final Four at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Fans will have a say in determining the winner through a fan vote. Starting March 27, fans can visit www.naismithfanvote.com to cast their ballot. Voting ends at 12 p.m. EDT on April 1, and fans are limited to one vote per day. The fan vote will account for 5% of the total vote.
The four finalists were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national voting academy, composed of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners, and conference commissioners, all of whom based their selections on outstanding on-court performances during the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
Josewph Tugler, Houston
Chinyelu was the anchor of a Florida defense that ranked sixth nationally in defensive efficiency and eighth in two-point field goal percentage defense. The Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, native was also one of the nation's elite rebounders, ranked fourth with an 11.2 rebounding average and ninth with 3.91 offensive rebounds per game.
Chinyelu set a Florida record with 19 double-doubles this season, and he is the first Gator in 50 years to average double-figure rebounds. He set a program record with 137 offensive rebounds, and his 393 total rebounds this season were more than any Gator other than the legendary Neal Walk. Chinyelu posted three 20-rebound games this season, the only Gator this century to hit the 20-board mark in a game and the only Florida player in the past 50 years to have three or more in his career.
The Southeastern Conference recognized Chinyelu as the league's SEC Defensive Player of the Year in addition to the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was also named a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team and the SEC Community Service Team.
The award winner will be announced Sunday, April 5, at the Naismith Awards Brunch during the Men's Final Four at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Fans will have a say in determining the winner through a fan vote. Starting March 27, fans can visit www.naismithfanvote.com to cast their ballot. Voting ends at 12 p.m. EDT on April 1, and fans are limited to one vote per day. The fan vote will account for 5% of the total vote.
The four finalists were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national voting academy, composed of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners, and conference commissioners, all of whom based their selections on outstanding on-court performances during the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
Josewph Tugler, Houston
Players Mentioned
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