Rueben Chinyelu is a top-five rebounder in the nation at 11.0 per game.
Rueben Chinyelu Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
Thursday, January 29, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Florida men's basketball junior center Rueben Chinyelu has been named to the Naismith Men's College Defensive Player of the Year watch list, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Thursday.
Chinyelu ranks fifth nationally in rebounding (11.0) and seventh in offensive rebounding (4.1). From Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, Chinyelu has started at center in all 61 games as a Gator over the past two seasons, helping UF to a 51-10 record as a starter and providing a stout presence in the middle of the Florida defense.
Twice this season, Chinyelu has grabbed 21 rebounds in a game, the most by a Gator in the shot clock era. He has notched 12 double-doubles, including a four-game streak that marked the longest by a Gator since 2005. His dozen double-doubles are tied for seventh-most in a season by a Gator.
Chinyelu and the Gators return to action on Sunday at 1 p.m., hosting No. 23 Alabama in a sold-out showdown.
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
2025-26 Florida Men's Basketball Tickets
Single-game tickets remain available for games vs. South Carolina (Feb. 17) and Mississippi State (March 3). 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.
Chinyelu ranks fifth nationally in rebounding (11.0) and seventh in offensive rebounding (4.1). From Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, Chinyelu has started at center in all 61 games as a Gator over the past two seasons, helping UF to a 51-10 record as a starter and providing a stout presence in the middle of the Florida defense.
Twice this season, Chinyelu has grabbed 21 rebounds in a game, the most by a Gator in the shot clock era. He has notched 12 double-doubles, including a four-game streak that marked the longest by a Gator since 2005. His dozen double-doubles are tied for seventh-most in a season by a Gator.
Chinyelu and the Gators return to action on Sunday at 1 p.m., hosting No. 23 Alabama in a sold-out showdown.
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
| Flory Bidunga | Kansas |
| Cameron Boozer | Duke |
| Kylan Boswell | Illinois |
| 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 |
| Kyle Evans | UC Irvine |
| Zvonimir Ivisic | Illinois |
| Joshua Jefferson | Iowa State |
| Jaquan Johnson | Bradley |
| Keba Keita | BYU |
| William Kyle III | Syracuse |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | Michigan |
| Tamin Lipsey | Iowa State |
| Aday Mara | Michigan |
| Duke Miles | Vanderbilt |
| Tarris Reed Jr. | UConn |
| Tyler Tanner | Vanderbilt |
| Joseph Tugler | Houston |
| Ernest Udeh Jr. | Miami |
| Caleb Wilson | North Carolina |
2025-26 Florida Men's Basketball Tickets
Single-game tickets remain available for games vs. South Carolina (Feb. 17) and Mississippi State (March 3). 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.
Players Mentioned
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