Florida's Rueben Chinyelu wins Naismith Defensive Player of the Year
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Florida basketball center Rueben Chinyelu has been named the 2026 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Chinyelu, a junior from Nigeria, averaged 10.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and a block per game, anchoring a dominant Florida defense.
Florida's Rueben Chinyelu was named the 2026 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 10.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and a block per game. Chinyelu's defense helped Florida suffocate opponents throughout the regular season. He also won SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Chinyelu is the first Gator to claim the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award since its establishment in 2018.
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