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Thomas Haugh returns to Florida, won't declare for 2025 NBA Draft

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi04/25/25ZachAbolverdi
Thomas-Haugh-Florida-Gators
Florida guard Thomas Haugh. (Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh will return to school for his junior season. Haugh told ESPN on Thursday that he has decided not to enter the 2025 NBA Draft.

After the national championship game, Haugh told Gators Online that he would likely go through the draft process. He is projected as a first-round pick by SB Nation (26th) and in the second round by Bleacher Report (35th) and On3 (41st).

“That’s what I’m leaning towards right now,” he said in San Antonio. “Obviously, I think it would be really beneficial. I saw Will [Richard] and Walt [Clayton Jr.] did that last year and it was huge. And I think I want to do the same thing and just go out there and work out whatever teams what to work out with me, get some feedback and go from there.”

A candidate for SEC Sixth Man of the Year, Haugh averaged 9.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists and started five games in league play after Condon’s ankle injury at Mississippi State. He was named to the West Regional All-Tournament Team after scoring 20 points in Florida’s Elite Eight win over Texas Tech and 13 off the bench against Maryland in the Sweet 16 after Condon reinjured his ankle.

“Halfway through the year, I wasn’t even thinking about going to the NBA or anything like that,” Haugh told Gators Online. “I was obviously working hard and knew I was capable of doing it, but I can’t thank Coach [Todd] Golden enough for trusting me and putting me out there in those situations to be able to say I can go work out for NBA teams. It’s incredible.”

Haugh could influence Alex Condon

While Haugh has decided to return, two sophomore bigs from Florida’s frontcourt declared for the draft. Starting forward Alex Condon announced last Wednesday, and starting center Rueben Chinyelu revealed his decision Thursday. Both Condon and Chinyelu maintained their eligibility.

After bringing a title to Gainesville, is there motivation to try and repeat next season? That may sway Condon to stay, he told Gators Online in San Antonio, but it sounds like Haugh could be a bigger factor.

“It’s definitely not a negative to come back to college after winning the national championship. We’ll see what this guy does,” Condon said, pointing to Haugh. “I know there’s a lot of talk about him going to the league. Maybe if he stays, I’ll stay.”

Could their decisions influence each other?

“Yeah, definitely,” Condon said.

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