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Thomas Haugh turns down potential lottery selection to return to Florida
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- Thomas Haugh turns down potential lottery selection to return to Florida
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The Florida basketball team just got a huge boost, heading into the 2026-27 season. Florida star forward Thomas Haugh has decided to return to the program for next year, per ESPN. The Gators star had been named a possible lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
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“With the 2027 Player of the Year candidate back in the fold, Florida becomes the favorite to open next season at No. 1,” Shams Charania posted to X, formerly Twitter.
Florida made it into March Madness this past season as a no. 1 seed, before losing to Iowa in a Round of 32 NCAA tournament game . The year before that in 2025, Florida won the national championship.
Haugh averaged 17.1 points per game this past season with Florida. The forward also averaged 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest.
Against Iowa in the NCAA tournament, Haugh poured in 19 points. His return immediately gives the Florida front court a big boost, as head coach Todd Golden hopes to win the SEC next season.
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“Most guys in my position in the draft, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA,” Haugh said to 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.”
Haugh had an end-of-season meeting with the Florida basketball staff, that obviously went well.
“They really didn’t need to sell much,” Haugh said. “Coach Golden and the staff did a great job, not pressuring me. They’re my guys. They’re gonna text me and call me regardless. They didn’t do much recruiting. I grew up a Florida fan. Tim Tebow. The back-to-back national championships. The 2014 team, I remember. They didn’t really have to sell me.”
The Gators finished the 2025-26 season with 27 victories.
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