Chinyelu collects shoes to send home to kids in Nigeria
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida men’s basketball’s home finale vs. Mississippi State on Tuesday has sold out, the Gator Ticket Office announced. The sellout marks the Gators’ 10th this season, including six in a row to close their home slate.
Rueben Chinyelu stays connected with his community back home, collecting shoes to send to kids in Nigeria. His story and his efforts, which were highlighted in a recent ESPN College GameDay featurehttps://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=903991498926278, inspired the show to donate more shoes to his cause and resulted in fans reaching out on social media to ask how they could also contribute.
Here in Gainesville, he participates in UF’s Climb for Cancer event to provide a day of athletically-related fun for kids battling cancer or in remission.
On the court Chinyelu has had an exceptional season, setting Florida’s single-season record for offensive rebounds and tying the record for double-doubles. He has twice been named the national player of the week along with an SEC Player of the Week honor. He currently leads the nation with 11.8 rebounds per game.
2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Community Service Team
Houston Mallette, Alabama
Amere Brown, Arkansas
Emeka Opurum, Auburn
Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
Marcus “Smurf” Millender, Georgia
Malachi Moreno, Kentucky
Jalen Reed, LSU
Zach Day, Ole Miss
Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State
Trent Pierce, Missouri
Tae Davis, Oklahoma
Myles Stute, South Carolina
Jaylen Carey, Tennessee
Chendall Weaver, Texas
Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
