Thomas Haugh is going back to Florida instead of entering the NBA.
Haugh said he's not returning to school just because of NIL.
"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. It was definitely a tougher decision than last year, but it was best for my career and future."
Haugh averaged 17.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this past season for Florida while shooting 46.0% from the field, 32.6% from beyond the arc and 77.4% from the free-throw line. There was no expectation that he'd return to school.
However, after Florida lost to Iowa in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Haugh knew he couldn't end his college career on that note.
"I think that lit a fire underneath me," Haugh said of the NCAA tournament loss. "I [didn't] want my last memory of Florida basketball to be that. They really didn't need to sell much. Coach Golden and the staff did a great job, not pressuring me. They're my guys. They're going to text me and call me regardless. They didn't do much recruiting. I grew up a Florida fan. Tim Tebow. The back-to-back national championships. The 2014 team, I remember. They didn't really have to sell me."
While NIL wasn't the sole factor, Haugh will be among the highest-paid players in college basketball next season. He will earn revenue share compensation similar to what mid-first-round picks are guaranteed, in addition to lucrative true NIL and endorsement deals.
Haugh helped Florida win the NCAA championship in 2025. He has career averages of 10.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in college.
Haugh's decision to return to Florida likely cements the Gators as the preseason No. 1 team.
"Getting this group of guys back together for one last run, they're going to have a lot of attention and notoriety, a lot of it deserved," Florida coach Todd Golden said. "We're going to have a ton of pressure, a ton of eyeballs on us this year. But it's a privilege. Use it to fuel us the right way. Can't allow it to splinter us. But we'd much rather be the hunted than the hunters. We just have to accept there's a lot of pressure that comes with that."
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