One of the keys for Florida in its quest to repeat as national champions is whether or not it can retain the eligible roster to return to Gainesville. The Gators lost Denzel Aberdeen to the transfer portal, but were able to keep Thomas Haugh after there was some belief he could explore the NBA Draft.
Todd Golden and company still have work to do in the transfer portal, and they have yet to get everyone eligible back to Gainesville, but they are one step closer after one key starter will officially be coming back.
Rueben Chinyelu to return to the Florida Gators
Rueben Chinyelu will be coming back to Florida for 2025/26. The center was a sophomore this season but opted to go through the NBA Draft process after the season was over.
Chinyelu went through the G League Elite Camp, but the door back to Gainesville always felt like the more realistic option, given that he wasn't on any notable mock drafts for the NBA.
Earlier this month, he told reporters that:
"If my feedback wasn't up to what I'm expecting, probably I'll just go back to school and go do what I have to do to get myself there."
Chinyelu's value for Florida was as a sure-handed rebounder and as a physical presence inside. While he wasn't an elite shot blocker, his size was enough to cause problems, and his ability to seal off the inside on offense as point guards drove to the basket was also underrated.
On paper, this means Florida will be able to rotate Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten once again at the 5 position. It probably also means that viral sensation Olivier Rioux won't see the court much next season as he continues to develop.
The two biggest pieces of the puzzle left for Florida's lineup in 2025/26 are getting Alex Condon to also withdraw from the NBA Draft and whether or not they can land Boogie Fland out of the transfer portal.