How Gators fare in early mock NBA Drafts

Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh is off to a strong start this season and the current NBA mock drafts reflect that. Most have him solidly in the first round. Here’s a look at where they have Haugh, along with his UF teammates.

Thomas Haugh, Jr., forward

Current stats: 18.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.5 turnovers, 48.8% shooting, 33.3% 3-point shooting.

The Athletic (Dec. 4): Round 1, Pick 12—Memphis: “Haugh has taken the momentum he built during Florida’s national-title sprint and run with it. He continues to be a massive mismatch problem because he’s such a well-rounded player at 6-9 with athleticism and skill. He’s averaging 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists and has been the least of the Gators’ problems on the defensive end.

Scouts consistently say that he looks like a player typically taken between No. 10 and No. 20. Why? They see a player who knows how to play off the ball in a highly effective manner and doesn’t need many touches to score. He’s dynamic in transition, filling lanes and even occasionally leading the break while covering ground quickly with long strides. He’s a sharp relocator around the court, drifting and sliding along the 3-point line to create open looks. The shooting has been up-and-down.”

Might Haugh go in the top 10?

Kyle Boone of CBS Sports (Dec. 10): Round 1, Pick 9—Oklahoma City (from Utah): “Haugh has been — quite clearly — Florida’s best player this season. He leads the team in scoring and has been a difference-maker with his scoring ability and size. At 22 years old, teams may give pause to taking him this high — but OKC has never been shy of buying into production regardless of age.”

Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports (Dec. 10): Round 1, Pick 19—Atlanta.

ESPN (Nov. 18): Round 1, Pick 15—Boston: “Many around the NBA anticipated Haugh would break out this season — he has wasted no time establishing himself as one of the best players in college basketball. Although he’ll turn 23 before his rookie season in the NBA, Haugh looks like an obvious plug-and-play option who will help any team with his ball movement, defensive effort and versatility. Teams with playoff aspirations will be looking hard at him starting in this part of the draft. Amid some speculation that they could take a nosedive in the standings, the Celtics have been frisky in the absence of Jayson Tatum. Adding an NBA-ready player with this pick should be one approach they consider.”

Bleacher Report (Dec. 9): Round 1, Pick 16—Atlanta: “Thomas Haugh is meeting those breakout expectations that came with more three-point shooting and decision-making responsibilities. After opening with a 27-point game against Arizona and recently going for 24 points againts Duke, he’s up to 18.6 points, 7.6 boards and 2.8 assists per game. Haugh seems poised to earn the easy-fit, high-floor label that figures to be attractive in the 20s or 30s for teams interested in the stretch-4 archetype.”

NBADraft.net (Dec. 5): Round 1, Pick 19—Oklahoma City

NBA Draft Room: Round 1, Pick 13—Milwaukee: “A versatile combo-forward who can hit the open shot and brings a ton of energy on both ends. Isn’t a first option offensive player but does all of the dirty work well and is a force on the court with his size, athleticism and hustle.”

Could other Florida Gators go in the first round?

Alex Condon, Jr., PF

Current Florida Gators stats: 13.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.0 turnovers, 1.2 blocks, 52.4% shooting, 11.1% 3-point shooting.

Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports (Dec. 10): Round 1, Pick 26—Los Angeles Lakers.

The Athletic (Dec. 4): Round 2, Pick 50—Washington

ESPN (Nov. 18): Round 1, Pick 28—Oklahoma City: “While Condon can be divisive for scouts due to concerns about his offensive output, mobility, passing flashes and defensive mentality give him tools to work with as a potential glue guy at the NBA level. After playing a major role in Florida’s 2025 title run, he’ll draw longer looks this time around. He picked up basketball late and there’s some untapped upside here if he can add a reliable jumper and polish his skills further. Condon has been much more productive out of the gate as a scorer, pointing the arrow in the right direction at the moment.”

Bleacher Report (Dec. 9): Round 2, Pick 49—Orlando: “NBA teams will still have interest in Alex Condon, a 6’11” big who runs the floor, scores around the paint and adds some value as a passer. But he’ll differentiate himself from dozens of NBA backups by becoming a more consistent pick-and-pop center. The path to upside for Condon is tied directly to his shooting development.”

NBA Draft Room (Dec. 13): Round 2, Pick 36—Sacramento: “A mobile and skilled big man who has been highly productive for the Gators. His arrow is pointing up.”c

Rueben Chinyelu, Jr., PF/C

Current Florida Gators stats: 9.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 55.2% shooting.

NBA Draft Room (Dec. 13): Undrafted/No. 68 on the board: “An enforcer in the paint who could take some time but has a chance to develop into a NBA bench big.”

Boogie Fland, Soph., PG

Current Florida Gators stats: 12.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 turnovers, 39.8% shooting, 21.7% 3-point shooting.

Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports (Dec. 10): Round 1, Pick 21—Oklahoma City.

ESPN Mock (Nov. 18): Round 2, Pick 56—New York

NBA Draft Room (Dec. 13): Undrafted/No. 74 on the board: “An ultra-quick lead guard who can control the pace of the game. A bucket who can score from the perimeter and is a deft ball handler, but is inefficient scoring at the rim. Missed a lot of the season with a thumb injury.”

Xaivian Lee, Sr. PG/SG

Current Florida Gators stats: 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 turnovers, 29.1% shooting, 23.6% 3-point shooting.

NBADraft.net (Dec. 5): Round 2, Pick 52—Minnesota

NBA Draft Room (Dec. 13): Undrafted/No. 107 on the board: “A crafty guard who can shoot the rock and score from 3 levels. A really fun player to watch.”