The Florida Gators have found a big man in the portal. Washington State transfer center Rueben Chinyelu committed to Todd Golden‘s program on Thursday over the likes of Memphis, Mississippi State and Kansas State. Chinyelu just completed his freshman year with the Cougars and will have three seasons remaining. He is listed at 6-foot-11 and 245 pounds. His 25.1% defensive rebound rate and 9.6% block rate would have been first on the Gators, while his 16.1% offensive rebound rate would have been second....plus he has a reported 7’8” wingspan. A high point of his freshman season came when Chinyelu secured his first career double-double with 12 points (a career high) and 11 rebounds in WSU's upset victory over then-No. 4 Arizona. In the days that followed, Chinyelu was awarded Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for his performance. Chinyelu hails from Nigeria by way of NBA Academy Africa, an elite basketball training center in Senegal for the top high-school age prospects from across Africa. Chinyelu participated in the 2022 NBA Academy Games, a series of exhibition games featuring top NBA Academy prospects. Chinyelu helped lead NBA Academy Africa to a first-place finish in the tournament. Last spring, Chinyelu 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.
Basic stats: Played 35 games last year, started 12. Averaged nearly 14 minutes per game. 4.7 points per game on 61.7 percent shooting. 48.9 percent free throw shooter. 1.3 blocks per game -- I believe I read that he broke the WSU record for freshman blocks. Five rebounds per game. Certainly seems like a defensively oriented, offensively limited big man, but he's young yet.
Hmm, I was over-confident last year and bought the larger sized "40-0" shirt after my off-season diet wasn't working. It did not take long before I looked like a fool. No more brand new shirts for me. I think I saw some in the bargain bin yesterday. That is MUCH better.
3 years left of eligibility is great. Averaged 5 rebounds a game in just 13.7 mpg. Averaged close to 4 on the defensive end which I know was a need. I'm guessing TG is still looking for a splash 4 to replace Samuel.
In his HS class, ranked #101 overall & #14 at his position. 2023 Top Center (BK) Recruits (247sports.com)
we need kids with names that I can spell. Took me half the season to get "Handlogten" and we lost "Alphabet" to the portal, so that will help. Bring in Fred Smith as the new PG!
I'm really happy, and surprised we are able to get good Backups in the TP. seems like this guy could go somewhere and start.
I love this kid. Very comparable to Handlogten. A little better defensively, a little worse offensively. Long, athletic, defends, rebounds, and finishes well. Played less than Handlogten as a freshman, but for a much better team against better competition. Condon may start at the 5 with him off the bench, or we could start both together. Lots of room for growth, too.
