Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green helped influence Thomas Haugh's return to Florida. Find out how.
Thomas Haugh shocked the sports world when he announced he's returning to Florida instead of going to the NBA.
According to Florida head coach Todd Golden, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green helped influence Haugh's return to Florida.
Haugh spoke with Green, a link-up facilitated through Green's current teammate and Haugh's former teammate, Will Richard.
"He was in Hawaii for an extended period of time. He actually had an amazing conversation, which I might be oversharing, but it might be worth talking to him about. He talked to Draymond Green, which I think was orchestrated through Will (Richard) a little bit. And they caught up and Tommy was asking about the NBA and all these different things. And I think Draymond gave him great perspective on what life in the NBA is like and what life in college is like, and how enjoyable it is, and it allowed him to be like, alright, like, the NBA, not sounding arrogant, but it will be there for him," Golden said, via Swamp 247. "It's gonna be there. And he only has one more opportunity to be at Florida."
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.
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," 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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