Will Reuben Chinyelu go in the NBA draft or return to Florida?

TL;DR

Reuben Chinyelu is deciding whether to enter the NBA draft or return to Florida for another season. His choice is significant for both his future and Florida's basketball team.

Key points

Reuben Chinyelu is considering entering the NBA draft.
His decision will impact Florida's basketball team significantly.
Recent rule changes are influencing college players' choices.

Reuben ChinyeluFlorida GatorsNCAA

Florida basketball's biggest offseason question won't surround any incoming recruits or transfers. It will center around whether star power forward Reuben Chinyelu decides to return to Gainesville or pursue his NBA dream one year early.

CBS Sports' Isaac Trotter highlights NBA prospects mulling if they will stay in college or set their sights on the professional game. Due to rule changes, rechartering the landscape of collegiate hoops, that number is growing.

These decisions won't just affect NBA team draft boards but NCAA rosters nationwide. Few in this scenario are more important to their team than Reuben Chinyelu, who was a major piece of Florida's 2025 regular-season SEC title.

As for whether Chinyelu will stay or go, Trotter predicts that the rising senior will return to Florida. He does offer the caveat that it isn't a stone-cold lock, but an educated guess.

As the Nigerian-born draft prospect participates in the NBA draft combine this week, he's seeking to boost his outlook. The 2026 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year posted measurements rivaling any prospect at the event: 7-foot-7.5 wingspan, 9-foot-3.5-inch standing reach. Marks like this have NBA teams perceiving Chinyelu as a big man with high upside.

The Gators will enter the 2026-27 season with legitimate hopes of a title run after returning most of its core roster. Chinyelu fortifying the paint significantly lifts Florida's potential. Florida's ceiling will depend on Chinyelu's decision, which must be made before the deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft without losing eligibility on Wednesday, May 27.

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Q&A

Will Reuben Chinyelu enter the NBA draft in 2024?

Reuben Chinyelu is currently weighing his options but is predicted to return to Florida for another season.

What impact does Chinyelu's decision have on Florida basketball?

Chinyelu's choice is crucial as he was a key player in Florida's 2025 SEC title run, affecting the team's roster and performance.

What are the recent changes affecting college basketball decisions?

Recent rule changes have increased the number of players considering whether to stay in college or pursue professional careers, impacting NCAA rosters nationwide.