During Todd Golden’s time at San Francisco he was known for recruiting international players and upon arriving in Gainesville made it known that he thought the SEC as a whole was missing out on the opportunity that is international talent.
Since vowing that he would scour the globe for top talent, Golden has landed his biggest visit to date–class of 2023 center Rueben Abuchi Chinyelu.
Chinyelu is known as one of the top big men in the entire world in the class of 2023, and he’s planning on visiting the University Of Florida campus September 15-17. Not only has Golden said that he was going to recruit internationally, but he has said he’s only really looking at the top players in a given class, considering if a recruit isn’t elite Golden would rather attack the transfer portal. Chinyelu is absolutely in the category of “elite” and would be just what Golden needs to compete with the physical specimens of the SEC.
Chinyelu is listed at 6’10”, but where he is truly special physically is when it comes to length. He reportedly has a ridiculous 7’8” wingspan, meaning when he stands straight up his fingertips touch 9’4”. He uses that length effectively, particularly on the glass. His game has drawn comparisons to Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe, which speaks to how active Chinyelu is when it comes to rebounding. He has regularly put up ridiculous rebounding numbers at all levels of competition, famously averaging close to 20 rebounds per game at a high-level FIBA Africa U-16 tournament. Not only does he have incredible length and height but his knack for knowing how the ball will come off the rim and his tireless effort make him a menace on the glass.
It’s easy to look at his length and his rebounding in recent events and suggest he’ll just be a physically imposing center who will batter and bruise opponents and finish around the rim, but that doesn’t tell the whole story for Chinyelu who has shown touch from the midrange and free throw line. That isn’t to suggest he’s a stretch shooter quite yet or that by the time he gets to the college level his jumper will be his biggest weapon, but he shows skills that shouldn’t limit the perception of him to just an interior monster.
Currently at the NBA Academy Africa, Chinyelu is exposed to elite coaching and quality competition with experience all around the globe playing other global NBA Academies. Noted alumni of NBA Academy Africa include Gorgui Dieng, Nelly Junior Joseph, and Ibou Dianko Badji.
Recently, Chinyelu was called up to the Nigerian Senior Men’s National Team, no small feat for a player that is still in high school. This is a team that has NBA talent in Josh Okogie and Chimezie Metu and a program with a lot of quality talent so the addition of Chinyelu speaks to where his game is at already. He was able to get on the floor for 13 minutes against Guinea where he had 3 points, 5 rebounds, and a steal.
Golden has had success with NBA Academies in the past and has several contacts in that program and getting a visit is nothing insignificant–it’s a long trip over the Atlantic, so Chinyelu coming suggests he has some interest in the Gators. It’s unknown exactly who else is in the mix, but he has visited Tennessee already. Given that he’s in an NBA Academy, and one of the top centers in 2023, it wouldn’t be surprising if the G League Ignite tried to lure him over, and Overtime Elite certainly would have interest.
It’s clear the Gators are going big-game hunting in recruiting and going after Chinyelu shows a lot of confidence by Florida’s staff. Florida is set to lose Colin Castleton in recruiting and they’ll certainly use his vacated position as part of the pitch to Chinyelu.
Any idea who his main suitors are or if he prefers any schools?