Thomas Haugh will forgo the NBA Draft for a third season with Florida, he announced Tuesday on Instagram. The projected lottery pick becomes the third Gator to return following commitments last week from Alex Condon and Boogie Fland.
After testing 2025 NBA Draft waters, Haugh had a breakout junior season in which he averaged 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 61 percent as Florida’s starting wing. He earned All-SEC First-Team and AP All-American Third-Team honors for the first time in his career. In February, Hoops HQ’s NBA Draft expert projected Haugh to go 13th overall.
Haugh’s decision is a sign of the times in an era of ballooning NIL contracts. On Sunday, UConn guard Braylon Mullins announced he would not declare for the NBA Draft. The star freshman was projected in the first round, but opted for a year of development and an NIL payday.
“Players like Braylon, he would probably make more money at UConn next year than he would if he were the No. 15 pick,” said UConn coach Dan Hurley on the Dan Patrick Show. “So those are the things you have to weigh. How badly do I want to get out of college and get to the NBA?”
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For Haugh, the pot is sweetened by a sense of unfinished business. The All-American played a bench role on Florida’s 2025 NCAA Tournament run. On their repeat attempt, the Gators went 16-2 in SEC play, but fell to No. 9 seed Iowa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Haugh missed the first game of his career in March battling a persistent calf injury and appeared less explosive through postseason play.
“Most guys in my position, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA,” Haugh told ESPN. “It’s not just the NIL. It’s the chance to play with my teammates, to play for Coach (Todd) Golden, and to represent a school I love. It was definitely a tougher decision than last year, but it’s what’s best for my career and future.”
Haugh will return alongside 2025 championship teammate Condon and starting point guard Fland. Junior center Rueben Chinyelu is testing the NBA Draft process, but has indicated a desire to return should he withdraw.
With Haugh’s return, Florida holds one of the strongest retained cores in the nation and could nab a preseason No. 1 ranking with the right additions in the transfer portal. To date, Golden has added Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen and courted Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, both perimeter playmakers who will pair well with Haugh.
Florida’s retention of high-level talent reflects the championship culture built by Golden. Haugh and Condon aren’t the only ones taking note: Golden is considered a “top target” for the Golden State Warriors head coaching job, should Steve Kerr step down. The Florida coach has a close relationship with Warriors CEO Joe Lacob, and a pedigree of Gators — including 2025 pick Will Richard — have represented Golden State.
Where that would leave Haugh, Condon and Fland is unclear. For now, Florida is the strongest team in the nation and Haugh king of the SEC.
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