GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A crushing loss, deep friendships, timely advice and NIL opportunity brought All-SEC forward Thomas Haugh back to Florida.
This combination delivered an offseason windfall for men’s basketball coach Todd Golden’s Gators.
Haugh announced Tuesday he will return for a fourth season rather than enter the NBA draft, where he projected as a potential lottery pick with earnings in the $5 million range. Instead, the 22-year-old will chase unfinished business after top-seeded, reigning national champion Florida’s stunning 73-72 loss to Iowa on March 22 in the NCAA Tournament’s second round.
“If we would have made a deep run, we probably wouldn’t have as good of a chance of getting him back,” Golden said. “That’s reality. That’s human nature. I think that kind of pours into his competitiveness and the legacy that he wants to leave here at Florida.”
Haugh’s return followed a similar decision by Alex Condon, a preseason All-America forward, Haugh’s roommate and close friend.
“Alex and Tommy have an incredibly tight relationship; they’ve been very close for four years,” Golden said. “That definitely played a part in it.”
Another unexpected influence came during a conversation with Golden State Warriors’ star Draymond Green, arranged by former Gator Will Richard, now Green’s teammate.
“Tommy was asking about the NBA and all these different things, and 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,” Golden said. “The NBA will be there for him. He only has one more opportunity to be at Florida.”
Green’s path differed sharply from Haugh’s. A second-round pick in 2012, Green entered the league without the financial certainty awaiting Haugh — and before the NIL era.
“He has legitimate NIL value,” Golden said. “Tommy has the ability to go to major brands, whether it be across Florida or to go nationwide, and be a part of marketing campaigns. He’s a good-looking kid. He’s gonna graduate. He’s got connections and that longevity of being here on campus where he will be recognized nationally.
“That was part of the conversation: If you’re here at Florida, you can take advantage of that.”
Golden, meanwhile, shut down speculation about his future after reports linked him to the Warriors, as the organization evaluates its long-term direction and rumors persist that coach Steve Kerr will not return.
“I’m definitely planning on coaching the Gators,” Golden said.
Entering his fifth offseason in Gainesville, Golden could have has his best roster yet — one that could improve further.
This hinges on 6-foot-10, 265-pound center Rueben Chinyelu, who is exploring professional options, including a trip to the NBA combine on May 10-17 in Chicago. Chinyelu led all power-conference players with an average of 11.2 rebounds, set a school-record with 19 double-doubles and was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
Still, the native of Nigeria’s offensive game is a work in progress.
“He’s going to test and check out what’s out there for him,” Golden said. “But Tommy coming back and Condo coming back appealed to him to come back as well. They’re all boys, and they all want to be together.
With or without Chinyelu, Florida’s core is formidable.
The 6-foot-9 Haugh and 6-foot-11 Condon were the Gators’ top two scorers in 2025-26 and are among the SEC’s more versatile players. Point guard Boogie Fland, who explored his NBA options in 2025 after leaving Arkansas, and sharpshooter Urban Klavzar return to the perimeter.
Kentucky transfer Denzel Aberdeen adds experience and familiarity. After three seasons at Florida, Abeerden transferred to Lexington, where he averaged 13.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 43.3% from the field and 36.3% from 3-point range in his first year as as a full-time starter.