As the NBA Combine begins to close in the coming days, many players are talking with multiple teams, seeing where they might end up in the draft next month. For some players, they are getting a feel for whether they should stay in the draft process or head back to the college ranks.
Florida big man Rueben Chinyelu is one of those players trying to figure out his future on whether or not to return to Gainesville, or continue with the draft process. Chinyelu was one Gator who announced he was going to test out the NBA Draft waters, but made it clear that if he returns to college, it will be with Florida.
With the Gators bringing back starters Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh, Chinyelu's return would be huge for a team that just a year ago won a National Championship. Chinyelu hasn't made a decision yet on his future, but sees what is going on in Gainesville.
Robert Chinyelu seeing other starters return is playing a factor in his NBA Draft decision
Florida big man Rueben Chinyelu was non-committal on his stay-or-go move. Florida’s retention of Tommy Haugh and Alex Condon is a factor, though.
— Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) May 13, 2026
“They want to, you know, do something special. … The Gators are looking great, you know, so I'm loving it.” pic.twitter.com/e6PNpmBsQZ
Seeing other guys that you have played for return for another season is definitely something, and for Robert Chinyelu, it is playing a factor in his NBA Draft decision. Chinyelu is still testing the waters at the Combine, but he is also seeing what has been going down in Gainesville.
Condon and Haugh's decision to return to Florida for another season instead of heading to the NBA Draft is something Chinyelu took notice of, and it could be the reason he returns to the Gators. With Hough and Condon, Chinyelu could join a Florida team that could easily be considered the No. 1 team heading into the college basketball season next year.
"They want to, you know, do something special," Chinyelu said. "The Gators are looking great, you know, so I'm loving it.”
Chinyelu took a big step forward in his second season with Florida, playing in all 35 games, averaging 10.9 points per game, 11.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. He was a big part of the Florida offense and a great counterpart to Condon in the paint.
There is hope that Chinyelu will return to the Gators, just to help boost Todd Golden's team and get them back to the National Championship. The Florida big man has until May 27 to make his decision on whether ot not he will return to the college ranks or continue with the NBA Draft process.
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