Rueben Chinyelu is making serious noise down in Gainesville - and now the rest of the country is taking notice.
Florida’s junior big man has been named the Naismith Player of the Week after a dominant stretch that helped the Gators notch back-to-back statement wins, including a blowout on the road and a top-25 takedown at home.
Chinyelu was a force in both matchups. He opened the week by posting 14 points and 11 rebounds in a 95-48 rout of South Carolina - a win that wasn’t just impressive, it was historic for Florida.
Then he doubled down with an even bigger performance against No. 23 Alabama, racking up 14 points and a monster 17 boards as the Gators rolled to a 100-77 victory.
That’s two straight double-doubles for Chinyelu, who now leads the SEC with 13 on the season. To put that in perspective, that mark ties him for sixth all-time in program history - and we’re still in early February.
What makes Chinyelu’s impact even more impressive is how consistent he’s been on the glass. He’s currently fourth in the nation in rebounding at 11.4 per game and ranks sixth in offensive boards with 4.2. That kind of presence doesn’t just show up in the box score - it changes the way opponents have to game plan.
And it’s not just his rebounding that’s getting attention. Chinyelu was recently added to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List, a nod to the physicality, timing, and relentless motor he brings on the defensive end.
Originally from Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, Chinyelu has become the heartbeat of this Florida team - anchoring the defense, cleaning the glass, and providing efficient scoring when it matters. His emergence comes at a crucial time for the Gators, who are starting to hit their stride in SEC play.
If this past week is any indication, Chinyelu isn’t just one of the best bigs in the conference - he’s putting himself in the national conversation.