Florida heart Rueben Chinyelu is withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft and returning to the Gators for his junior season, in accordance with CBS Sports activities’ Jon Rothstein. Chinyelu’s choice marks one other vital offseason win for the reigning nationwide champions, although he is presently the one starter on his manner again to this system for the crew’s title protection.
A former four-star product of the NBA Academy Africa, Chinyelu spent his freshman season at Washington State earlier than transferring to Florida in April 2024. He instantly stepped into the beginning heart position in lieu of an injured Micah Handlogten holding that position in all 41 of Florida’s video games final season.
Chinyelu averaed 6.0 factors and 6.6 rebounds per recreation whereas hitting 60% of his photographs from the sphere. He reached double-digit scoring in 10 video games, together with a 10-point, 8-rebound efficiency in Florida’s Candy 16 win in opposition to Maryland.
Whereas Chinyelu continues to be growing his offensive recreation, he proved to be one of many SEC’s prime inside defenders in his first 12 months with the Gators. He used all of his 6-foot-10, 260-pound body to dam 34 photographs, which ranked second amongst Florida defenders, and safe 169 defensive rebounds.
Chinyelu has two seasons of eligibility remaining after taking part in 76 video games with Washington State and Florida. He’s the second vital part of the Gators frontcourt to return after rising junior Thomas Haugh, the crew’s first huge man off the bench and a spot starter final season, additionally determined to come back again for one more 12 months in Gainesville, Florida.
All eyes on Alex Condon
Although Chinyelu and Haugh are again within the boat, Florida continues to be ready to see whether or not beginning sophomore ahead Alex Condon will stay within the NBA Draft or return to this system making certain the Gators retain their standout frontcourt trio.
The 6-foot-11 Condon has till Might 28 to make his remaining choice. He is broadly considered as a borderline first-round prospect due to his size and athletic potential, although he didn’t take part in any scrimmages on the NBA Mix.
“My mindset is I am right here now and I need to be within the NBA for now,” Condon advised CBS Sports activities on the mix relating to his future. “I acquired to get that assure. I do know I am in that 20-35 vary now. I’ve state of affairs ready for me at Florida, teammates that I simply received a nationwide championship with. It must be state of affairs for me to remain, however the suggestions I am getting from groups is optimistic. I am prepared to remain if I must.”
Condon averaged 10.6 factors and seven.5 rebounds per recreation final season. He additionally led the Gators with 49 blocks and flashed his versatility by tallying 82 assists.
Florida loading up for one more run
No matter whether or not Condon returns, Florida is stocking up for one more deep run in 2025-26. Past Chinyelu and Haugh returning, the Gators additionally brin again Handlogten to bolster a loaded frontcourt. Condon can be the cherry on prime.
Chinyelu and Haugh present loads of positional versatility. The 6-foot-9 Haugh might be laborious to maintain out of the beginning lineup subsequent season, no matter who’s within the combine, however he is greater than able to slotting in at small ahead whereas permitting Chinyelu and doubtlessly Condon to share the ground.
Florida is present process a wave of change within the backcourt. Gone are main scorer Walter Clayton Jr., uber-athlete Alijah Martin, postseason star Will Richard and dependable bench choice Denzel Aberdeen — the previous three had their eligibility expire, whereas Aberdeen transferred to Kentucky.
To offset a number of the misplaced manufacturing, Florida signed former Princeton level guard Xaivian Lee — the No. 32 prospect in 247Sports’ switch rankings — and four-star Ohio switch AJ Brown, who averaged 13.2 factors per recreation whereas capturing 38.8% from 3-point vary final season.
The Gators are additionally within the combine for five-star Arkansas switch Boogie Fland, the highest combo guard within the portal. Fland battled by damage as a real freshman to play in 21 video games whereas averaging 13.5 factors and a team-high 5.14 assists per recreation.