Thomas Haugh, who had been viewed as a potential 2026 lottery pick, has decided to postpone entering the NBA and will return to Florida for his senior season, he told ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jeff Borzello, and Jeremy Woo.
The 6’9″ forward was part of Florida’s 2025 national championship team as a reserve before breaking out in 2025/26, starting all 34 games and averaging 17.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
He earned second-team All-American honors and was ranked No. 13 on ESPN’s draft board before opting to stay in school.
Rather than turning pro, Haugh will use his final year of eligibility to pursue another title with a Florida team expected to be among the nation’s best.
He could also position himself as a contender for 2027 Player of the Year honors if his development continues.
“Most guys in my position in the draft, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA,” Haugh told ESPN.
“It’s not just the NIL. It’s a chance to play with my boys. To play for coach (Todd) Golden. To go to the school I love to play for. It was definitely a tougher decision than last year, but it was best for my career and future.”
While Haugh downplayed NIL’s role, reports suggest he is likely to earn more at Florida next season than he would as a mid-first-round NBA pick.
Teammate Alex Condon is also returning, while Rueben Chinyelu has declared for the 2026 draft but could still come back to college.
Potential Lottery Pick Thomas Haugh Returning To Gators https://t.co/bdE0t18Wdu pic.twitter.com/HBg7KCqFku
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 21, 2026
