Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh has had a phenomenal career in college. In three years in college, Haugh has played 110 games, putting up 10.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest. He played a big role off the bench in the 2024-25 season, as head coach Todd Golden and the Gators took home an NCAA title.
This past season, Haugh took a bigger step up in Florida's program after the Gators' three leading scorers left for the NBA draft. Haugh started all 34 games he played in the 2025-26 season, and he had his best year yet.
Haugh scored 17.1 points per contest, which was his career best by far, to go along with 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
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Haugh and the Gators did not have the finish to the season they were looking for this year, as Florida fell in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
With the 2025-26 consensus All-American finishing his junior year at Florida this past season, many thought he would be a shoo-in to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. He was listed as the 13th-best player in the draft by ESPN.
However, on Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Haugh will return to Florida to play his senior season under Golden.
"Florida junior Thomas Haugh -- a projected potential lottery pick -- will return to the Gators next season, he tells me, @JeremyWoo and @jeffborzello. With the 2027 Player of the Year candidate back in the fold, Florida becomes the favorite to open next season at No. 1," Charania said.
Haugh joins fellow big man Alex Condon, who has played a big role in Florida's success over the past two seasons, in coming back for his senior season.
While center Reuben Chinyelu declared for the draft on Monday, he also maintained his college eligibility.
With Haugh and Condon returning, and the possibility of Chinyelu being back for another year, things are looking bright for Golden and the Gators next season.
