Overview
- Thomas Haugh, who confirmed his decision Tuesday to ESPN, will return to Florida for his senior year rather than enter the 2026 NBA draft.
- Observers, including Shams Charania, now peg the Gators as a likely preseason No. 1 after a Round of 32 loss followed their 2025 national title.
- ESPN reports Haugh will receive one of the richest college packages next season with school revenue-sharing near mid–first-round guarantees plus NIL deals.
- He joins fellow frontcourt starter Alex Condon in returning, while center Rueben Chinyelu is testing the draft and has kept his college eligibility.
- Haugh ranks No. 13 in ESPN’s 2026 Top 100 and, per ESPN, is the most highly ranked player to announce a return and the first lottery-level returnee since Miles Bridges in 2017.