Rueben Chinyelu - Men's Basketball

2025-26 Men's Basketball Roster

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Maddie Washburn

MaddieWashburn

Overview

Started all 40 games for the Gators’ 2025 national championship team, averaging 6.0 points and 6.6 rebounds with a .599 field goal percentage and 34 blocked shots.
Posted four double-doubles his first season as a Gator and led the Gators in rebounds 12 times and scoring twice.
Totaled 165 points, 174 rebounds and 45 blocked shots in 35 appearances with 12 starts during his freshman season at Washington State.
Attended the NBA Academy Africa and competed in the 2022 NBA Academy Games, where he led NBA Academy Africa to a first-place finish.
Brings international experience, helping Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2019 FIBA U16 African Championship while averaging 12.3 rebounds and 17.6 rebounds. Made his senior national team debut in 2023 during World Cup Qualifiers.

2024-25, Sophomore Season

Totaled 238 points and 262 rebounds while starting all 40 games for the national champion Gators.
One of five players in Florida history to start 40 games in a season, along with Will Richard, Taurean Green, Lee Humphrey and Joakim Noah.
Snagged nine rebounds in the Final Four win vs. #4 Auburn, helping the Gators rally from nine down by helping limit Johni Broome to three second-half points.
Tallied 10 points and eight rebounds in the Sweet 16 win vs. #11 Maryland.
Notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the SEC Tournament quarterfinal win vs. #5 Alabama.
Snagged 11 rebounds to help Florida to a +15 rebounding advantage in the win at #8 Alabama.
Had a massive 19-point, 13-rebound showing in the win at LSU.
Grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds in the win vs. #1 Tennessee, helping the Gators to a +19 rebounding advantage.
Posted 10 points and six rebounds in a career-high 30 minutes in the win at #22 Mississippi State, helping the Gators overcome the loss of Alex Condon 30 seconds into the game.
Had four straight double-figure scoring performances vs. Mississippi state, South Carolina, Oklahoma and LSU.
Had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. Missouri.
Posted 10 points and eight rebounds in his SEC debut at #10 Kentucky.
Tallied 14 points and 11 rebounds in the ESPN Events Invitational championship game vs. Wichita State.
Scored 14 points in the win vs. Grambling, shooting 7-for-8 from the field.

2023-24, Freshman Season (Washington State)

Totaled 165 points (4.7 per game), 174 rebounds (5.0) and 45 blocked shots (1.3) while shooting .617 from the field in 35 appearances with 12 starts.
Tallied six double-figure scoring performances, four double-figure rebounding games and a key double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Cougars’ win at fourth-ranked Arizona.
Posted eight games with at least three blocked shots, including three in 17 minutes in a home win vs. #8 Arizona and in 13 minutes in another home win vs. Colorado.
Grabbed a season-best six offensive rebounds (10 total) at Utah.

Prep

Chinyelu attended the NCA Academy Africa in Senegal and participated in the 2022 NBA Academy games, where he led NBA Academy Africa to a first-place finish.
Also played for Mozambique’s CFV in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) as part of an initiative to include one NBA Academy Africa player on each team.
Chinyelu also brings international experience, helping Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2019 FIBA U16 African Championship while averaging 12.3 rebounds and 17.6 rebounds.
Made his debut with the Nigerian Senior National Team in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers.

Personal

Off the Court

Has a story behind choosing #9: I was contemplating on entering the transfer portal when I went to church on a Sunday. The service was going on, but I was restless because I was thinking about transferring on not. Then the preacher mentioned that our text is from the book of Joshua 1:1. As I opened my bible to Joshua 1:1, I notice that I had ticked verse 9, which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” That’s when I knew it was go time. I chose number 9 representing the word of God from Joshua 1:9.
Favorite food: Oho soup
If he had a superpower, it’d be: Controlling time
Favorite quote/saying: “Always smile. It’s a beautiful day.”
Hidden talent: Drawing
If he could have dinner with three people: my dad, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant
Favorite NBA player: Michael Jordan
Favorite place he’s visited: Rwanda
Favorite holiday to celebrate, and why: Christmas, because my whole family is present.
Favorite movie or TV show: Love and Basketball

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