Thomas Haugh returning to Florida Gators: Star forward running it back eyeing second national title

Basketball

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Image Credit: Maddie Washburn, UAA

The Florida Gators may not have won back-to-back national championships, but the Class of 2023 is nevertheless following in the footsteps of the Oh Fours. Deciding to put off a professional career for another season, junior forward Thomas Haugh on Tuesday announced that he will return to Florida for his senior campaign.

In doing so, Haugh joins classmate and close friend, forward Alex Condon, in playing a fourth season with the Gators, pushing off the NBA Draft for another year to play in Gainesville, Florida, for head coach Todd Golden.

After a late-season ankle injury contributed to Condon’s statistics declining as the Gators made a run toward winning the 2025 national championship, he improved in most areas as a junior with career-best averages in scoring (15.1 points), shooting (55.6%), rebounding (7.5), assists (3.6) and blocks (1.4). However, Condon also cratered as a 3-point shooter, making only 17% of his attempts (down 16% from his sophomore season) while comitting an additional turnover per game (2.4 up from 1.4).

Still, the 6-foot-11, 230-pound Australian was considered a top 30 prospect ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. As a marginal first-round selection, Condon decided to return to college, continue developing and ensure himself of an early pick in the 2027 process, which should be less competitive at the top.

The returns of Haugh and Condon come amid a slew of positive personnel news for the Gators.

Guards sophomore Boogie Fland, sophomore Isaiah Brown and redshirt junior AJ Brown all announced in late March that they were returning to the program. Fland will remain in the starting five with Isaiah Brown being given a legitimate opportunity to move into the primary lineup on the wing.

Former Florida G Denzel Aberdeen, a member of the 2025 title team, announced on April 10 that he will attempt a return after one season at Kentucky, pending NCAA approval for an additional year of eligibility. Should Aberdeen rejoin the Gators following the best statistical season of his collegiate career, he would start alongside Fland in the backcourt.

With Haugh and Condon back, if Aberdeen can suit up, Florida may again be considered the favorite in the SEC without yet bringing in a new player.

Junior center Rueben Chinyelu has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft with an opportunity to return to school should he not like his evaluation.