Haugh returns to Florida, forgoing immediate NBA opportunity
PUBLISHED Jun 9, 2026, 2:32 PM ET
Read, Watch or Listen
Gainesville, Fla. — Thomas Haugh announced this week that he will return to the University of Florida for his senior season, postponing entry into the NBA draft. The All-SEC forward said Tuesday he spent several weeks weighing the choice and prioritized living with teammate Alex Condon, attending school with his younger siblings, and chasing a second national title. The decision carries financial and roster implications: a projected 14th overall draft slot would have yielded a four-year rookie-scale contract worth more than $26 million, while Florida-linked name, image and likeness arrangements are reported to provide Haugh roughly $7 million for the coming year. Florida retains a key starter for the upcoming season and Haugh cited family and team goals as immediate priorities.
By Faro B. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Last month: Haugh considered entering the NBA draft and evaluated potential draft position.
- Several weeks of deliberation occurred leading up to his announcement.
- Tuesday: Haugh announced his decision to return to Florida for his senior season.
- Reporting: Projected 14th pick would have implied a four-year, ~$26 million rookie deal.
- Current: Haugh will participate in Florida’s upcoming season while earning reported NIL compensation of about $7 million.
News Intelligence
- Thomas Haugh's choice to stay in school impacts the Florida Gators' upcoming season. As a key player, his return boosts the team's chances for a second national title. If you're a fan, this is great news. For students, it's a chance to see a potential NBA star on campus.
- Articles Published:
- 4
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 3
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 75%, Right 25%
Thomas Haugh benefited by retaining collegiate opportunities, earning roughly $7 million through NIL deals while preserving family and lifestyle priorities and pursuing another national title with Florida.
Potential NBA teams and Haugh's immediate professional earnings potential forfeited a projected rookie-scale contract tied to a likely 14th overall pick when he postponed entering the draft.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
No left-leaning sources found for this story.
From Center
Haugh returns to Florida, forgoing immediate NBA opportunity
Yahoo Sports Winnipeg Free Press TSN
Comments