Thomas Haugh Is Leaving Money on the Table and Florida Fans Know Exactly Why

Thomas Haugh had every reason to chase NBA money. He's a lottery pick. He's a senior-to-be. The clock is ticking. But on Tuesday, the Florida forward told ESPN he's coming back for one more year, and the reason hits different when you know what just happened to the Gators.

That 73-72 second-round loss to 8-seed Iowa in Tampa? That's what changed everything. Haugh didn't want that to be his last memory in a Florida uniform. So instead of cashing in early, he's betting on himself, on his teammates, and on one more run with coach Todd Golden.

A Lottery Pick Turns Down the NBA

Let's be clear about what Haugh is walking away from. ESPN ranked him the No. 13 prospect in the 2026 draft. He was tracking comfortably for the middle of the first round. The NBA was calling. The money was real. And he said no.

He's now the highest-ranked prospect to announce a return to college, and the first player since Michigan State's Miles Bridges in 2017 to opt for another year while projected as a lottery pick. That's not a small decision. That's a statement.

"Most guys in my position in the draft, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA," Haugh told 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."

That Loss Lit the Fire

Here's what really matters: Haugh earned third-team All-America honors and first-team All-SEC honors this past season, averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He was a legit NBA prospect. But when Iowa took that tournament game in the second round, something shifted.

"I think that lit a fire underneath me," Haugh said. "I [didn't] want my last memory of Florida basketball to be that."

Golden felt the same punch to the gut. "The hardest part was the initial week," the coach told ESPN. "His mind had been made up, he was going. When the season ended the way it did for us, it was a little bit of a punch in the stomach. Allowed a little more to reflect."

This decision also follows Alex Condon's announcement last week that he's returning, while starting center Rueben Chinyelu is testing the draft waters but keeping his college eligibility alive. The frontcourt that won a national championship is staying together. And that probably makes Florida the preseason No. 1 team heading into next season.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.