Ahmedu hails Nigeria's Reuben Chinyelu after historic NCAA Championship win

Ahmedu hails Nigeria's Reuben Chinyelu after historic NCAA Championship win

By Admin

The President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), has praised the outstanding performance of Nigerian basketball talent Reuben Chinyelu, following the Florida Gators' thrilling 65-63 victory over the University of Houston in the NCAA championship game on Monday night. The game, played before a record crowd of 66,602 spectators, crowned the Gators as national champions in dramatic fashion.

Chinyelu, a product of Nigeria’s U16 national team that won bronze at the 2019 African Championship in Cape Verde—an initiative supported by Nestlé Milo—was part of the victorious Gators squad. His journey from grassroots development to elite collegiate basketball underscores the effectiveness of Nigeria’s basketball pipeline, said Ahmedu.

"As a basketball stakeholder, I am proud of Reuben Chinyelu, who has become only the third Nigerian to win an NCAA title," Ahmedu stated. "He follows in the footsteps of Charles Okwando, who triumphed with UCONN in 2011, and Daniel Ochefu, who won with Villanova in 2016. His involvement with the Florida Gators is a testament to the Naija fighting spirit."

Ahmedu also commended the contributions of Raptors Academy, managed by Coach Charles Ibeziako, and former NBA star Olumide Oyedeji, for their mentoring roles in Chinyelu's development. "Their efforts have been instrumental, and I believe Reuben is on course to become one of Nigeria’s most successful basketball players."

The FIBA official, who also serves on the Nigeria Basketball Federation board, called for strategic monitoring of Chinyelu’s progress to ensure his continued development and well-being.

Monday’s final saw the Houston Cougars dominate early with a stifling defensive display, leading to the lowest-scoring first half in a men’s title game since 2011. At one point trailing by 12, the Gators mounted a late comeback led by Walter Clayton Jr., who had been scoreless in the first half. His clutch basket with eight minutes left sparked Florida’s rally.

Florida seized the lead for the first time in the final 46 seconds, holding on with tenacious defense and crucial free throws. The Gators led for just 62 seconds in total but made them count, clinching their third NCAA men’s basketball title and first since their back-to-back triumphs in 2006 and 2007.

Will Richard led Florida with 18 points, while Alex Condon added 12. Clayton, who had previously scored 30 points in the Elite Eight against Texas Tech and 34 in the Final Four against Auburn, contributed 11 points in the final and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

Chinyelu’s presence in such a monumental game further highlights the growing influence of Nigerian talent on the global basketball stage.