Florida's Thomas Haugh Announces 2026 NBA Draft Decision After Junior Season

Florida forward Thomas Haugh is returning to the Gators for his senior season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, Jeremy Woo and Jeff Borzello.

Haugh was a consensus All-American as a junior, averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman wrote earlier this month he was a fringe lottery pick in the 2026 NBA draft, slotting him in at No. 18.

Wasserman compared Haugh to 18-year NBA veteran Jeff Green:

"Prime Jeff Green was a valuable role player who could play either frontcourt position and provide both shotmaking and athletic finishing. Haugh should occupy a similar role with the same skill set, archetype and physical strengths.

"These are connective pieces that can provide complementary scoring, spacing and ball movement.

"Teams considering Haugh will likely accept a ceiling that's below All-Star levels. Instead, they'll value his floor, adaptability and potential to elevate certain lineups without needing high usage."

NIL is likely one factor behind Haugh's decision. He's going to be well compensated in Gainesville, and his earnings are unlikely to be significantly different than if he had been a mid-first-rounder.

The 6'9" forward made it clear this was more than financially driven, though.

"Most guys in my position in the draft, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA," he 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."

Florida's upset to Iowa in the second round of the NCAA tournament changed Haugh's thinking as well.

Golden told ESPN that "his mind had been made up, he was going." Once the sting of the defeat subsided a little more, Haugh was resolved to stay with the Gators.

Alex Condon is also sticking around, and Rueben Chinyelu could follow Condon and Haugh after declaring for the draft while retaining his eligibility. Regardless of what Chinyelu does, Florida will be an early favorite for the 2027 Final Four with Haugh and Condon in the fold.