GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida men’s basketball junior center Rueben Chinyelu has been named Naismith Player of the Week, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Monday.
Chinyelu posted a pair of double-doubles with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the Gators’ 95-48 win at South Carolina, then 14 points and 17 rebounds in Sunday’s 100-77 win vs. No. 23 Alabama. Chinyelu’s 13 double-doubles this season lead the SEC and are tied for sixth in Florida history.
The Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, native ranks fourth nationally in rebounding (11.4) and sixth in offensive rebounding (4.2). Chinyelu has started at center in all 62 games as a Gator over the past two seasons, helping UF to a 52-10 record as a starter, and has showed his defensive prowess in the paint and on the perimeter<https://x.com/GatorsMBK/status/2018036083485790620?s=20>.
Chinyelu also earned a spot on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List<https://floridagators.com/news/2026/1/29/mens-basketball-rueben-chinyelu-named-to-naismith-defensive-player-of-the-year-watch-list> last week.
The Gators have a midweek bye on their schedule before visiting Texas A&M Saturday at 8:30 p.m. EST.
2025-26 Florida Men’s Basketball Tickets
Single-game tickets remain available for games vs. South Carolina (Feb. 17) and Mississippi State (March 3). Tickets can be purchased at FloridaGators.com<https://floridagators.com/sports/2022/12/15/mens-basketball-tickets>, by calling the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or in person at Gate 2 on the west side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium<https://maps.app.goo.gl/kmcpEDMhXbKTn8XNA>.
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