Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu announced his plans to return to Gainesville for his junior season after withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft on Monday afternoon.
After starting all 40 games and averaging 6.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game throughout Florida’s National Championship season, Chinyelu entered his name in the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility in case of a return.
The 6’10, 251 pound big was one of 45 players to receive an invite to the NBA G League Elite Camp, which took place from May 9-11 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Chinyelu met with the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers for a pre-draft workout.
“I’m just trying to show them that I’m a good defensive player, I can rebound the ball and also I can shoot the ball if I’m given the opportunity, cause I can shoot the ball,” Chinyelu said in an interview with the Portland Trail Blazers’ media. “I think you just keep working and keep getting better. But most importantly for me is doing what got me where I’m at right now, which is rebounding, playing defense, playing off the pick, being able to switch onto guards…just being able to show them that I’m versatile and I can guard 1-5.”
You can watch that interview [here.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOcFaqUPGJg)
At the G League Elite Camp, Chinyelu averaged 5.5 points and six rebounds in two games while recording five assists in game one and four steals in game two. Chinyelu is a physical freak weighing in at 6’10.25” and 251 pounds with an incredible wingspan of 7’7.75”.
Chinyelu, a native of Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, started his career at Washington State where he averaged 4.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game during his freshman campaign in 2023-24.