Todd Golden’s Florida won the NCAA championship in 2024-25 season. After the NCAA title season, there were some departures from that team but the core team still remained. Walter Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard ascended to the NBA while all major parts returned for the next season.
Florida had an averaged season at best this year. Obviously any season after the NCAA title, would naturally seem dull. However, they did win the SEC regular season championship. Unfortunately for Todd Golden, Florida got eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Going into the off season, there were some departures for the Gators. Micah Handlogten entered the transfer portal seeking another year of eligibility. 7’9 center Olivier Rioux couldn’t mark up to his hype and transferred to UC Irvine. Xaivian Lee left the Gators after his college eligibility got exhausted. And Rueben Chinyelu had declared for the NBA draft. However, there has been a change since.
“NEWS: Rueben Chinyelu is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and will return to Florida, he told @On3. The 6-10 center and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year averaged 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season,” insider Joe Tipton reported.
Before Chinyelu, Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon had also withdrawn their names from the NBA Draft to return to play their senior years in Florida.
Fans react as Rueben Chinyelu withdraws from the NBA draft
Fans rejoiced and appreciated Chinyelu. However, there was some trolls as well. Although, many mock drafts had placed him as the first round pick yet he has shown his loyalty and trust to Todd Golden.
“Florida has to be preseason number 1 now. They are stacked,” one fan claimed.
“Florida got Chinyelu and Haugh back just to lose in the rd of 32 next year,” one fan predicted.
“That’s wild. Dude was easily a first round pick in a weak center class. I hope the NIL check was worth it because he’s gonna lose a lot of money when he’s picked in the second round next year,” one fan explained.
“The band is back together,” one fan celebrated.
“Florida might run the table,” another said.
“Ik NIL is crazy but sheesh man this is a weak center class him and pat and haugh shouldn’t have withdrawn,” one fan stated.
Read more:
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Todd Golden Makes Big NBA Coaching Admission Amid Florida Departure Links
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