While the whole college basketball world was speculating if Florida rising senior forward Thomas Haugh would return, he was relaxing in Hawaii.
“My dad, my mom, my agent, everybody was scrambling,” Haugh said. “And I'm out there just chilling in Hawaii.”
A few weeks later, after weighing his professional options and listening to advice from everyone, including his family and NBA veteran Draymond Green, Haugh made the choice Florida fans were hoping for.
He was coming back.
“You didn't think I was going to be here again, right?” Haugh joked during his press conference.
The decision wasn't easy. Haugh spent nearly a month debating whether to begin his professional career or return to Gainesville for a final season. He consulted Florida head coach Todd Golden, his family, teammates and agent. He even found himself on a 45-minute phone call with Green after former Gator Will Richard connected the two.
Green's advice was straightforward.
“He said he would come back,” Haugh said.
That veteran perspective resonated with Haugh as he evaluated a newer NBA landscape that increasingly values older and more experienced players.
Florida's 2025-26 season ended in disappointment with a loss to Iowa in the NCAA Tournament after entering as a No. 1 seed. A team that many believed was capable of another deep March run saw its season end earlier than expected.
“I think last year our team deserved to go farther,” Haugh said. “I think we had the squad to do it, the coaching staff to do it.”
The loss lingered into the offseason.
“After that game, I definitely was a little distraught,” Haugh said. “It was going to be my last time playing with some of the guys. It was kind of like I let them down a little bit.”
Instead of leaving for the NBA, Haugh now returns alongside fellow stars and rising seniors, center Rueben Chinyelu and power forward Alex Condon, giving Florida one of the most experienced rosters in college basketball.
The expectations for the team have only grown.
“I think we're probably going to be a top three team,” Haugh said. “It's national championship or bust for this team.”
Florida's roster retention is rare in the modern era of college sports. Eleven players are returning from last season's squad, which creates a level of familiarity that few other teams can match.
The veteran forward believes maintaining the mindset that fueled Florida's national championship run two years ago will be critical.
“We just need to maintain that mindset that we had during SEC play,” Haugh said. “I know me, Rue and Condo are going to take it upon ourselves this year to make sure that we get back to that.”
Haugh has been grinding in California alongside Condon, training with NBA players including Patrick Williams and Klay Thompson while working to expand his game.
His focus has been becoming a more versatile perimeter player after spending his first full season at small forward.
“The main thing is expanding my game more,” Haugh said. “Being able to be more comfortable at the three, make more assists and knock down more shots.”
He also spent significant time this summer developing his left hand.
“Making teams respect that I can go left just as good as I can go right is huge this year,” Haugh said.
Florida's ability to retain Haugh, Condon, Chinyelu and several other key contributors was aided by a strong NIL commitment from Florida Victorious.
For Haugh, though, the decision ultimately came down to more than money.
“The NBA life is no joke,” Haugh said. “You're not out there going and getting dinners with your guys every night. It's a job.”
Now, instead of entering the ranks of the NBA, Haugh will get one more season wearing orange and blue.
The kid who once sat in the nosebleeds of The Swamp wearing a Tim Tebow jersey now has a chance to further cement his own legacy in Gainesville.
“If we go out there and win another national championship,” Haugh said. “I think this team and the players on it will be remembered like those two Florida football teams with Tebow.”
Contact Colton Veres at cveres@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @colton_veres.
Colton Veres is a senior sports journalism student in his first semester at The Alligator. He is currently the Summer 2026 baseball reporter. In his free time he enjoys watching the Red Sox and spending times with friends and loved ones.
