GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has named Rueben Chinyelu, a University of Florida men’s basketball player, Defensive Player of the Year.
NABC-member coaches across Division I voted on the national award winners. Chinyelu was the first in Florida program history to win the award.
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He averaged 11.2 rebounds this season for the Gators and finished the year with 36 blocks.
Prairie View A&M forward Cory Wells (13) and guard Tai’reon Joseph (3) get a rebound in front of Florida center Rueben Chinyelu during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)(John Raoux | AP)
NABC National Award Winners:
NABC Division I Coach of the Year: Jon Scheyer, DukeNABC Division I Player of the Year: Cameron Boozer, DukeNABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year: Cameron Boozer, DukeNABC Defensive Player of the Year: Rueben Chinyelu, FloridaNABC Freshman of the Year: Cameron Boozer, Duke
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