Florida basketball’s starting center Reuben Chinyelu accepted his invitation to the NBA G League Elite Camp at the beginning of the week, making him the second Gator to commit to the pre-draft event, along with guard Will Richard.

While the two were omitted from the NBA draft combine RSVP list, they will have an opportunity to slip in with a superlative performance at the camp. For Richard, who is out of collegiate eligibility, it is a bit of a do-or-die moment for the outgoing senior.

For Chinyelu, however, it offers a chance to work out with scouts and coaches from the next level who will evaluate his talents and ostensibly provide him with data to help improve his game. Having spent a year with the Washington State Cougars before transferring to Florida ahead of last season, it would likely behoove the 6-foot-10-inch, 260-pound frontcourt force to return for another campaign to fine-tune his game.

Rueben Chinyelu’s career stats at Florida

During his only season in Gainesville with the Gators, the sophomore started all 40 games — from the opener to the national championship game — making him one of just five players in UF history to start 40 games in a season, along with teammate Will Richard, as well as fellow national champions Taurean Green, Lee Humphrey and Joakim Noah.

The native of Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, averaged 6.0 points and 6.6 rebounds with a .599 field goal percentage plus 34 blocked shots during the 2024-25 campaign. Chinyelu posted four double-doubles, leading the team in rebounds 12 times and scoring twice.

Full NBA G League Elite Camp invite list

About the NBA G League Elite Camp

NBA G League Elite Camp will take place May 9-11 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, after which a select number of standout players will be invited to the NBA draft combine.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, all invited players are required to attend and participate in the NBA draft combine, held on May 11-18. The NBA may excuse an invited player’s attendance or participation at the draft combine and require the player to complete draft combine activities at a later date.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball center Reuben Chinyelu accepts NBA G League Elite Camp invitation