Florida center Rueben Chinyelu has never been shy about mixing it up in the paint, but now he’s doing more than just cleaning the glass-he’s anchoring the Gators on both ends of the floor.
Since arriving in Gainesville ahead of the 2024-25 season, Chinyelu has been known for his rebounding instincts and physical presence. But this season, he’s taken a clear step forward offensively, transforming into a consistent double-double threat and a focal point for a Florida team that’s starting to find its rhythm.
Through 17 games in the 2025-26 campaign, Chinyelu has already racked up nine double-doubles-more than double the four he posted as a sophomore. And he’s heating up in SEC play, too, with back-to-back double-doubles, including a career-high-tying 19 points and 17 rebounds in Florida’s 96-79 road win over Oklahoma on Jan. 13.
That kind of interior dominance is exactly what Florida needs as it heads into a key SEC matchup against No. 8 Vanderbilt.
The No. 20 Gators, sitting at 12-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play, will lean heavily on Chinyelu’s inside presence to counter a Commodores squad that’s off to a 16-1 start.
Chinyelu’s offseason work is paying clear dividends. His field goal percentage has climbed from 59.9% last year to 62.9% this season, and he’s improved his free-throw shooting from 58.2% to 67.3%. That kind of efficiency makes him a tough cover-especially when he’s getting deep post position and finishing through contact.
“His skill has just continually grown since he’s been here, and the confidence has been great,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said. “He’s much more able to keep himself on balance this year, get the ball up on the rim. His left shoulder jump hook is lethal-he just jumps over the defender and drops it in.”
That jump hook has become a go-to move, and it’s not just about finesse-Chinyelu brings plenty of muscle to the table. At 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds, he’s a bruiser who knows how to carve out space, and he’s become the SEC’s top rebounder, averaging 10.7 boards per game.
That includes a dominant 16-rebound effort (12 on the defensive end) in Florida’s 91-67 win over Tennessee on Jan. 10.
“His physicality, that speaks for itself honestly,” said Florida point guard Boogie Fland.
Chinyelu’s emergence as a more complete player is turning heads-and giving Florida a legitimate interior anchor as the SEC schedule heats up. If he keeps this pace, the Gators are going to be a problem for anyone trying to control the paint.