After a heartbreaking upset loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in March Madness, it appeared that 2025 national champion Tommy Haugh had played his last game with the Florida Gators, as many expected him to enter the 2026 NBA Draft.
However, despite being projected as a lottery pick, Haugh has decided to return to school for another season, prompting strong reactions from the college basketball world.
Tommy Haugh Sparks Strong Reaction by Announcing Return to Florida Gators
During the 2024-2025 college basketball season, Haugh emerged as one of the best young players in the entire country. That year, he averaged 9.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field, 34% from three-point range, and 79.4% from the free-throw line.
After the departures of Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, and Alijah Martin, Haugh stepped up to be the No. 1 option for the Gators alongside teammates Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, Boogie Fland, and Xaivian Lee. This past season, he improved his averages to 17.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 block, and 1.1 steals per game. He shot 46% from the field, 32.6% from three, and 77.4% from the free-throw line.
Instead of declaring for the NBA Draft, Haugh will return to school for his senior year.
THOMAS HAUGH IS BACK 🔥
The National Champion and All-American is spending his senior year in Gainesville 🐊 pic.twitter.com/MlLCCeRyst
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 21, 2026
Head coach Todd Golden had the opportunity to discuss retaining Haugh, which he credited to the team’s disappointing March Madness run. He said, “Truthfully, if we made another deep run, I don’t think we get Tommy back. That was a big part of it in terms of him solidifying his legacy. It’s motivated us greatly for this coming season.”
College basketball podcaster Ryan Hammer talked about the rarity of a player of Haugh’s stature returning to school.
“Has there been any player in the CBB transfer portal era like Tommy Haugh to return to school?” Hammer said. “National Champion. All-American. Likely lottery pick/top 20 at worst. JT Toppin returning for year 3 is the only one I can think of close to it.”
Has there been any player in the CBB transfer portal era like Tommy Haugh to return to school?
National Champion.
All American.
Likely lottery pick/top 20 at worst.JT Toppin returning for year 3 is the only one I can think of close to it.
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) April 21, 2026
College basketball and draft analyst Kevin Sweeney had a similar take.
“Thomas Haugh is returning to Florida. Huge news for Florida and the sport as a whole. A projected lottery pick is choosing one more year in college basketball… and setting the Gators up for a real national title push in the process,” he posted.
Thomas Haugh is returning to Florida.
Huge news for Florida and the sport as a whole. A projected lottery pick is choosing one more year in college basketball… and setting the Gators up for a real national title push in the process. https://t.co/h4VockGd5E
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) April 21, 2026
The Florida Basketball Hour Podcast posted, “Consensus All-American Thomas Haugh will return for his Senior year at Florida. Haugh is a champion already but can cement his legacy as a top 5 Gator of all-time, in any sport, with a big senior campaign. Absolutely incredible job by Florida’s staff with retention here.”
Consensus All-American Thomas Haugh will return for his Senior year at Florida.
Haugh is a champion already but can cement his legacy as a top 5 Gator of all-time, in any sport, with a big senior campaign.
Absolutely incredible job by Florida’s staff with retention here. https://t.co/4ujg6Co44m
— Florida Basketball Hour (@FloridaBBHour) April 21, 2026
Finally, journalist Neil W. Blackmon said, “Thomas Haugh returning to Florida is the biggest get in the sport during portal season. The consensus All-American and national champion is already one of the best players in Florida program history. He may leave the best. Incredible roster retention by Todd Golden and staff.”
Thomas Haugh returning to Florida is the biggest get in the sport during portal season.
The consensus All-American and national champion is already one of the best players in Florida program history. He may leave the best.
Incredible roster retention by Todd Golden and staff. https://t.co/MizJosofdk
— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) April 21, 2026
Haugh and the Gators will go into the 2026-2027 season as one of the most experienced teams in college basketball. They will also be projected as arguably the best team in college basketball and will try to win the national championship for the second time in three years.
I love this article! It seems like you really know your knowledge about Thomas Haugh and Florida! Go Gators!