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Chinyelu talks amazing college career and NBA dream

RUEBEN Chinyelu speaks proudly of being Nigerian and of flying his country’s flag on the NCAA stage. It’s a path several of his compatriots have walked, but Chinyelu is distinguished by winning an NCAA championship and earning individual accolades with his college team, the Florida Gators.

The 6ft10 (2,08m) forward follows a path first navigated by Nigeria-born NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, who went through the American college system and won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets in the mid-90s. It’s a legacy Chinyelu celebrates, and he hopes to be on the same stage where Olajuwan’s name once illuminated.

Speaking to The Big Tip Off via the Zoom platform at his Florida base, he reflected on the court life lessons he learnt before tasting success with the Gators and acclimating to life far away from home.

“It feels good to leave home, enter a new environment, and represent your country abroad. I am proud of where I come from, and knowing that legends like Hakeem Olajuwon dominated, and I am doing my part… That is beautiful,” Chinyelu said. “I aim to represent my country and embrace being Nigerian. I’m grateful to be Nigerian.”

Stormy days in Washington

Before becoming a Gator in 2024, the NBA Africa Academy alumnus spent a season at Washington State, where he committed a year earlier. Off his time in the US capital, he says he learnt resilience, especially when things did not go according to script.

“It’s another side of the country. It’s really cold. Lucky for me, I have adaptive skills, which allowed me to settle in a different environment, and that was an anchor for me. It helped me get through that time,” said Chinyelu. “Washington played a huge part in my growth… Just learning to be resilient. Knowing things are not always going to be rosy. There will be storms and sunshine. And through it all, you have to stay the course.

“I think Washington prepared me for where I am right now. Every other part of my journey, even before Washington State, also contributed to where I am now. From Nigeria, where I started playing basketball, to the NBA Academy (Senegal) and playing in the BAL. Without those experiences, I would not be successful.”

Rueben Chinyelu Florida Gators NCAA 2026 — **Rueben Chinyelu says the Gators family environment fuelled the team’s and his success. Pictures: Hannah White and Maddie Washburn**

Striking gold with the Gators

Chinyelu’s two years at Florida were a golden period of his college career, from a team and individual perspective. Looking back on Florida’s NCAA championship run, which was the university’s third basketball title, Chinyelu says that the success was due to the “family environment” built within the team. It’s a culture that permeated the team this year.

“When we won the championship, it was so wonderful. All the work put in… Seeing guys happy, wanting to play together and celebrating one another’s success was key for us. It kept us going. It kept us thriving, no matter the circumstances. Our team chemistry last year was unmatched,” said Chinyelu. “It was just a family environment. Everybody loves each other. We check on one another. It’s like one big family. Things like that make a difference… Because we have guys coming from different parts of the world, and giving them a family environment plays a huge part in the team being successful.”

While the Gators fell short of the exploits which saw them win the NCAA title last year, Chinyelu intimated that the family dynamic within the team allowed him to have an outstanding season this year (2025-2026), leading to him scooping five individual awards: SEC All-Defensive Team, Second-team All-SEC, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, NABC Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

“This year was no different. Everyone enjoyed playing together. It’s just that it was a breakout for me. I worked hard and did all I could,” said Chinyelu. “When it comes to winning the individual stuff, it was my teammates and them playing well with me, and the way I play with them. For any player to be successful, it’s the collective. Basketball is a five-man game. I would not have done it without them, so I share those awards with the team. They are our awards.”

Rueben Chinyelu Gators 2026 — **Rueben Chinyelu hopes his time at the Gators can open the doors to the NBA.**

Eyes on a bigger prize

His season had already ended, and after the interview with The Big Tip Off, he announced that he was declaring for this year’s NBA draft (set for June 24), while keeping the option to return to college. While he returned to college after declaring last year, this time around, he seems confident of a future in the NBA.

“Once I make it to the league. I want to be able to play long in the league,” said Chinyelu. “Once I am done, I want to help shine a light on Africa. Even if it’s to help create infrastructure or give back to the community. There is a ton of talent in Africa, but a lack of opportunity and resources. So once I am in a good position, I want to do everything I can.”

Chinyelu continued: “You have to start somewhere. You know how it is. If it is difficult here, in Africa, it’s 200 times more difficult. So that is why I want to do as much as I can for the African continent to help pave a way for another generation.”

Should he realise the dream of playing in the NBA, Chinyelu would join former NBA Academy Alumni and teammates Ulrich Chomche from Cameroon and South Sudan’s Khaman Maluach in being drafted to the elite league. On Maluach, a 10th pick in last year’s NBA Draft, Chinyelu recalled the work they put in together during the Academy days and how fate did not allow their colleges to face off in the NCAA final. Maluach’s Duke team fell short against the losing finalist, the Houston Cougars.

“Last year, when we made the final four, I was hoping I would play Khaman (in the final),” said Chinyelu. “He is my guy. We played together at the Academy for some years. So, I hoped he would make it to the final. It was going to be so much fun.

“I am so happy he got drafted. Super happy. Super proud of him because I remember the late-night and early morning work we put in to get better. That moment meant a lot. Not just for me, but the academy as well. I am proud of him.”

Chinyelu’s heart is in the right place, and whatever decision he makes to either return to Gainesville, Florida, for his final year of college or to pursue an NBA career, his story of resilience and adaptation is an example to follow.

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Africa Blogtable writers pick their NBA regular season MVP

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THE Africa Blogtable brings together some of the top basketball minds from across the continent to answer some of the league’s most pressing questions this season.

The 2023-24 NBA Awards finalists were unveiled in April and three international players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) and Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) were named MVP Finalists.

With the 2023-24 NBA MVP Award finalists revealed, the Blogtable writers share their thoughts on who will take the crown.

Sindiswa Mabunda, The Big Tip Off (South Africa): I believe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) will win the MVP award. The Canadian guard had a breakout season last year and continued with his impressive form this year. SGA ended the regular season with an average of 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game and the Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

SGA has established himself as the leader of the best team in the West, with the second-best record in the league overall. He has also proven himself to be a top perimeter defender, leading the league in steals with an average of 2 per game. Additionally, he was the third-highest scorer in the league.

Luca Doncic in action for Dallas — **Dallas Mavericks player Luca Doncic is among the three international players nominated for the NBA regular season MVP award. Pictures: Getty Images**

Alex Isaboke, Capital FM (Kenya): My MVP is Nikola Jokic. Once again he has proved to be the best over the rest, with his stardom inspiring the Nuggets into the playoffs and on track to defending the title. His name is on the list for several major counting stats – he’s fifth in total points, second in total assists, and third in total rebounds – he remains my favourite.

Mor Bassine, Record (Senegal): I choose Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks for the MVP trophy. His statistics are above average – 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game. He is well ahead of players like OKC’s Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists or even last season’s Finals MVP, Nikola Jokic who averaged, 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds.

Tosin Abayomi, Pulse Nigeria (Nigeria): All three MVP nominees had extraordinary campaigns over 82 regular season games. However, the winner will be Nikola Jokic who has taken the mantle as the best basketball player in the world. His control of the game from the centre position is unprecedented, while Doncic has better stats in a loaded Western Conference.

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Noah reflects on NBA career and being a BAL investor

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JOAKIM Noah may have ended his playing career a few years ago, but he is still a recognisable face. The telling moment came when he was swarmed by autograph-seeking youngsters on the opening night of the Basketball Africa League.

Most of the fans who queued up to take photos with Noah and get his autograph were pre-teens. Some wore jerseys of current NBA stars, but they admired Noah, who was in his prime when they were learning to walk.

Noah retired from the NBA in 2021 after his best years, which included two NBA All-Star selections in 2013 and 2014 and the NBA Defensive Player Award in 2014.

In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Noah reflected on his playing career, his work as a BAL investor, the impact of the BAL on Africa’s basketball ecosystem, and the league’s future.

Joakim Noah at the BAL — **Joakim Noah had fun at the Special Olympics during the BAL. Pictures: The BAL**

Looking back on a playing career spanning over 14 years on the rosters of the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, and finally, the Los Angeles Clippers, Noah regrets nothing. While he may not have won a championship ring, Noah left it all on the court throughout his career.

“When faced with adversity, how you handle it is where your power lies,” said Noah.

Noah cherishes the moments he spent with his teammates. For him, winning with his teammates and celebrating with them on the bus are the most memorable moments. “For the highlights, just being retired now – all you have left is your friendships and your memories.”

He now finds happiness in his work with the BAL and witnessing the league’s growth. “It is still the beginning, but seeing the growth, being in South Africa, and seeing the fan interaction… ow excited people are about what we are building here, is something special to me,” says Noah. “A day doesn’t go by where I am not talking about NBA Africa and the work that I am doing in the inner city in Chicago. Those are the things bringing me joy.”

Many retired professional athletes are in the media industry. They have pursued careers as broadcasters, and some have opted to become minority owners in American sports teams.

Noah on the other hand decided to invest his time in African basketball. His decision was easy because of the relationship and trust in BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall’s leadership.

“He is somebody that I trust, a humble warrior who cares about the mission of growing basketball on the continent, and when I knew that he was at the head of this – it wasn’t something to question,” says Noah. “I invested and I am very proud of being able to do this on the continent.”

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The standard of work that the BAL has carried out in the first four seasons has catalysed growth across the continent. It has prompted more investment in the sport from the grassroots to the senior level.

“You can see the growth of the leagues all around. I think it’s a great step because it motivates the players across the continent. They know that there’s a league represented by the NBA. The level of excitement in the fans is evident. The players get the chance to play on the same courts as those in the NBA. The are top-notch facilities, sound systems, and everything else that makes the BAL a first-class experience,” said Noah.

A key part of the BAL is the Elevate program. It gives NBA Africa Academy prospects a chance to play for the 12 teams during the competition.

“Being around these young men, seeing their growth and them being able to play on the largest stages of our sport is the most beautiful aspect of the BAL,” says Noah. “They know that when they are stepping onto the court, they are more than just a basketball player. They represent the continent and I think they’ve been doing that well.”

At present, four Academy players are competing in the Kalahari Conference. Those are; Aginaldo Neto (Petro de Luanda), Mohammed Sylla (FUS da Rabat), Mohamed Camara (Dynamo Basketball Club), and Yakhia Diop (Cape Town Tigers).

“We are proud of all of them and are proud of the work they are putting in. We acknowledge the sacrifices they made as young men, leaving their families – that is not an easy thing. [The BAL] provides an opportunity for them to speak about their journeys, the hard work that goes into being a professional, and they are almost there. They are coming,” says Noah.

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African Blogtable writers give insights on NBA Xmas battles

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THE African Blogtable brings together some of the top basketball minds from across the continent to answer some of the league’s most pressing questions ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.

The NBA launched their Christmas Day campaign, “The Gift of Game”, celebrating the timeless tradition and magic of holiday hoops which will this year see five games for the 16^th consecutive season on December 25.

Games will reach fans across the world in more than 200 countries and territories including Africa. The 76^th edition of the NBA on Christmas Day will see Golden State Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks, Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics vs. L.A. Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns.

All five games will air live on ESPN, Canal + and NBA League Pass, while SABC (South Africa), ZAP (Angola/Mozambique), NTV (Kenya), Afrosport TV, NTA, Silverbird, TVC and ITV (Nigeria) and Clouds (Tanzania) will air a showdown between Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors and Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets at 21:30 CAT.

In the spirit of the Christmas Day brand campaign, The Gift of Game, what gift has basketball granted you?
Which Christmas Day matchups are you looking forward to?

NBA Xmas battles — **LeBron James will lead the Lakers against Jayson Tatum’s Celtics. Pictures: Getty Images**

Manyehlisa Lehohla & Sindiswa Mabunda, The Big Tip Off (South Africa)

Manyehlisa Lehohla: Basketball gifted me the dream of starting a media platform, The Big Tip Off. For the last five years, The Big Tip Off has been one of the leading contributors of basketball content on the African continent. We have featured NBA Academy Africa and great servants of African basketball like Thierry Kita Matungulu and Emmanuel Mavomo. One of our most significant achievements is covering the Basketball Africa League’s (BAL) Nile Conference in Cairo, Egypt, earlier in the year. We have also started providing up-and-coming content producers a chance to exhibit their writing skills. And as operations grow, we hope to pass that gift on to others.

Sindiswa Mabunda: I’m excited about the stacked Christmas Day schedule, which is always a great way to end a day spent with family. I particularly look forward to the third match-up between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Despite the Celtics having a better record and the best defensive rating in the league, their lack of depth will disappoint them down the stretch. The Lakers, on the other hand, have more scoring options beyond the arc and the ability to attack both sides of the ball. Led by Anthony Davis and James, who keeps raising the bar in his 21st season, the Lakers have been playing phenomenal basketball. When they’re in sync, they are almost unstoppable.

Alex Isaboke, Capital FM (Kenya)

Basketball has gifted me a lot especially in building up to this festive season: seeing the game I love open an NBA Africa office in my country Kenya was a delight. I will be able to see the game develop and more talent from the country have an opportunity to be discovered especially as the interest of the game continues to grow.

Secondly, the NBA In-Season Tournament was the best thing to happen to any basketball lover, that meant more games to enjoy and eventually seeing LeBron cement his ‘King’ status by adding another title!

A definite clash to watch out for is the Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets. Both teams considered as the powerhouses of the West, it will be interesting to see who will help their team to glory. Will it be Steph Curry for the Warriors or reigning MVP Nikola Jokic? It will be a closely contested affair, but I will go with the Nuggets for the win because they are a young team; they will have home-court advantage and with Jokic’s performance expected to be a game-changer coupled by sharpshooter Jamal Murray – it will be good see them extend their recent dominance over the Warriors.

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Tosin Abayomi, Pulse (Nigeria)

Basketball has provided a unique opportunity to dream. Growing up I took an interest in basketball in my teenage years which has fueled my desire as a journalist to be versatile. The excitement basketball has provided me over the years has contributed to my passion for staying up late at night to watch the NBA and I won’t have it any other way.

The Lakers won the In-Season Tournament but have since suffered a dip in form. Facing off against the Boston Celtics, 17-time NBA Champions, and long-term rivals, LeBron James has an opportunity to galvanize his team to make a statement against the title favorites on Christmas Day.

The Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks match-up provides an incredible spark of excitement with the offensive talents on display. The rivalry between Devin Booker and Luka Doncic makes this a tantalizing affair to end the Christmas Day slate. The Suns team has not lived up to the hype this season. But they have an opportunity to remind the world why they are among the favorites in the West against a resurgent Mavs.

Damas Sikuwabo, The New Times (Rwanda)

At a tender age, sports played a crucial role in my daily activities. Basketball has given me a whole career. I have had the chance to learn from the best, I have also had a chance to connect with some of the legends of the sport.

In a span of two years, I have had the opportunity to travel more than 10 times from Rwanda to other countries in the region and beyond. I have also won myself several accolades because of covering basketball.

I am looking forward to the Celtics and Lakers game because both clubs compete at a high level and share a long-standing history. Equally important, both teams are potential contenders in the East and West, respectively.

Mor Bassine Niang, Record (Senegal)

Basketball gifts me every day- it is a game that provides a lot of emotion. It’s always a pleasure to follow the games, Christmas or not. The greatest gift is to fully experience what you love. Basketball is Santa Claus every day. And that explains the love fans have for the sport. Personally, I am spoiled to have experienced for the past 15 years the atmosphere of the arenas in Senegal, Africa and the world. I can cite, as an example, the Basketball Africa League which offers its share of joy and great atmosphere.

I believe that the Boston – Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers – Miami Heat games will be exciting matchups. These two games will keep basketball fans in suspense given the quality of the squads. The Heat are in good shape and will be up against the 76ers who are 19-8. The Lakers have just come off winning the first NBA In-Season Tournament and the Celtics lead the East 21-6. Exciting player matchups to watch out for are Jimmy Butler vs Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum vs LeBron James. These are duels which I believe will light up the floor.

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Gilchrist riding the crest of the wave in basketball

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STORM Gilchrist has a distinguished family legacy in basketball. Walking the pathway laid by his legendary father, the teenager is prepared to take the mantle and fly to a different stratosphere.

The son of Craig Gilchrist, one of the South African game’s greats, has seen doors open for him this year. Firstly, he’s completed another season in the Basketball National League (BNL) with the team his father played for and now coaches, KwaZulu-Natal Marlins.

Gilchrist also got a chance to learn from NBA elite players and coaches at the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) camp, which ended on Monday. Soon, he will bid farewell to South African shores to further his game in the United States of America.

The St Charles College pupil reflected on the journey that first saw him start as a rugby player, a sport his father and grandfather also played. Gilchrist explained to The Big Tip Off that while he had a “deep love” for rugby, it was basketball that would eventually steal his heart.

“Most people don’t know this. My father played for the under-19 Sharks (rugby) team, and my grandfather also played for a bit. So, it’s in the genes. I have a deep love for that sport (rugby), but I have a deeper love for basketball,” said the 18-year-old.

Once he committed to basketball in grade eight, Gilchrist’s father showed him the ropes. The road would, however, present some challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic and a knee injury stalled his progress.

“I had my first practice with my father as the head coach. That is when I thought, ‘this (basketball) is going to be lots of fun’. But Covid-19 ruined a good part of the season. Unfortunately, when we were allowed to play sports again, I blew out my knee in my grade 10 year playing rugby,” said Gilchrist. “I tore my MCL (medial collateral ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), and I was out for another 14 months.”

Storm Gilchrist honing his skills at BWB — **Storm Gilchrist says his father is a key mentor for him in basketball. Picture: The BTO**

Gilchrist credits the support structures around him for providing morale support during the recovery stages.

“It (recovery) was not fun. I was in a weak mental state, but thanks to my friends, I pushed through. My mom and dad played an important role, so I am thankful to them too,” said the Marlins centre.

Hooping with the Marlins

Now a matriculant, Gilchrist has grown with the Marlins and helped them make it to the semi-finals of the BNL. While the Marlins fell to eventual champions, the Cape Town Tigers, he enjoyed his match-up against Pieter Prinsloo (Tigers captain).

He also felt that because of his youth, many underestimated him throughout the BNL season.

“It is one of the most fun experiences I have ever had. Going into games, everyone thought, ‘he is just a kid, and we can push him around’, but I locked in and played hard defence. So, I caught them off guard,” said Gilchrist. “I have so much respect for Pieter. He wants to mentor me to become like him. He’s played (NCAA) Division 1. He is a true professional. So, it was a learning experience for me.”

Gilchrist discussed his father’s impact in his debut BNL season: “It’s a great privilege, especially having my father as my coach. He has so much knowledge, especially in the position I play. When something doesn’t go right for me, he helps me keep my cool. He taught me how to get to the rim and when to kick out. He shares a lot of knowledge with me.”

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Rubbing shoulders with the NBA stars

Gilchrist’s game IQ has probably shot up 10-fold after participating at the Basketball Without Borders camp in Johannesburg. Gleaning insights from superstar players like Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) and respected coaches like Darvin Ham (LA Lakers) is an opportunity of a lifetime.

The youngster recalled that he had been on holiday when, close to midnight and in deep slumber, he was woken up by the life-changing call.

“We had just won the St John’s tournament and were on holiday to Scottburgh Beach. The St Stithians coach (Roland Andingdou) called me at 11 at night, and he goes, ‘I just put your name through to go to the BWB. You must be ready for the call’,” said Gilchrist. “I was excited, scared … And experienced every feeling known. I did not know what to expect.”

“Now that I’m here, I have made friends with players from countries like South Sudan and Nigeria. We have been teaching them some South African slang during the team building exercises.”

He also shared some of his reflections after learning from some of the best in the business.

“Looking at some aspects of my game, I feel, I did not shoot the ball well. So, that area needs work. I think I got better on defence, especially after working with Bam Adebayo. He is one of the best defenders in the NBA,” said Gilchrist. “I learnt how to close out without contesting the ball too much. He taught me a lot of defensive tricks.

“Coach Ham can read the game so well. He can draw up a play from his head because of what he sees on the court. Watching him draw up a play and trying to understand how he came up with it was a fun experience.”

Chasing the American basketball dream

After the BWB experience, Gilchrist will have little time to put his feet up and relax. In just a few days, he’ll head to San Antonio (United States), on an eight-month scholarship to further develop his game at the Strength N Motion Academy.

Storm Gilchrist third image — **Storm Gilchrist says he enjoyed bonding with other campers at BWB.**

Gilchrist says the academy scouted him after he posted some highlight reels in the digital space.

“I posted a highlight reel on YouTube. So they scouted me from there. They told me they needed a big guy who could rebound and score. I am so excited because here in South Africa, you train three times a week,” said Gilchrist. “Over there, I’ll be training three times daily and playing against nearby colleges. I feel that by the time I come back, I’ll be a better player, and I could become a professional.”

Having honed his skills from some great minds of the game, starting with his father and exceptional NBA players and coaches, Gilchrist goes to the spiritual home of basketball with refined skill sets. He is far from the finished product, but his trajectory is promising. Storm Gilchrist is a name to look out for in the future.

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