Florida men's basketball added 6-foot-11 sophomore center Rueben Chinyelu to its 2024 transfer class, head coach
Todd Golden announced on Thursday.
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After playing his freshman season at Washington State, Chinyelu (pronounced chin-YAY-loo) becomes the second transfer to sign with UF this offseason, alongside forward Sam Alexis of Chattanooga. The duo helps the Gators reload their frontcourt after posting the third-highest offensive rebounding average in the nation last season.
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Chinyelu averaged 4.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per game in 35 appearances with 12 starts for WSU in 2023-24. He 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. He also had eight games with at least three blocked shots.
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"We are thrilled to welcome Reuben into our basketball family here at Florida," head coach
Todd Golden said. "He is an ultra-talented young man who fits into the culture of our program seamlessly. He has fantastic tools on both the offensive and defensive end, and we expect him to make a big jump across the board as he enters his second collegiate season."
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A native of Enugu Agidi, Nigeria, 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. Chinyelu 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.
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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. Chinyelu competed with the Nigerian Senior National Team in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers.
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Florida's incoming 2024 class now includes transfers Chinyelu and Alexis (Chattanooga) along with freshman guard Isaiah Brown.
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2024-25 Season Ticket Information
Get in line for season tickets by placing a $100 deposit per seat, and you will be contacted to purchase as soon as tickets are on sale!
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Returning season ticket holders from the 2023-24 season need not place a deposit. Your seats are being held for you and renewal information will be sent to you.
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