Entre NIL et NBA, Thomas Haugh a choisi Florida

In today’s college basketball landscape, some choices would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago. Projected to be a top-15 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Thomas Haugh ultimately decided to return for a fourth season at Florida.

A choice motivated by several factors: quality of life, the desire to finish the job with the Gators , but also the new economic realities of college sports, summarized by three letters: NIL. «I thought about it for three or four weeks. It was really close ,» the forward confides.

Draymond Green in the loop

After the season, Thomas Haugh treated himself to a week’s vacation in Hawaii with his girlfriend, to weigh up the pros and cons. During this time, he had numerous discussions with his family, coaches, and several figures in the basketball world, including Draymond Green .

The four-time NBA champion even spent nearly 45 minutes on the phone with him. His advice? «He told me he would come back to college ,» the man revealed.

But another conversation may have been even more significant. His mother, Jennifer, spoke with Cherie Clayton, the mother of Walter Clayton Jr., the former Gators star who became an NBA rookie this season. It served as a reminder that the professional world is quite different from the college environment.

«Life in the NBA is no joke ,» explains Thomas Haugh. «You can be traded at any time. It’s no longer about eating dinner every night with your friends or traveling with your teammates. It’s a job.»

A financial calculation that has become possible

From a purely sporting perspective, Thomas Haugh could have been drafted around the 15th pick, with a rookie contract estimated between $20 and $25 million over four years. But the NIL situation changed that.

According to several estimates, the Florida star could earn nearly $7 million this season thanks to contracts tied to his name, image, and popularity. In other words, staying another year at university allows him to secure a very high immediate income without jeopardizing his NBA future.

«It’s crazy, but it’s a great opportunity!» he admits. «Florida is investing a lot in me, and I want to repay that investment on the field.»

The title or nothing

Beyond the money, which couldn’t be ignored, Thomas Haugh also wanted to reclaim the title. NCAA champions in 2025, the Gators had approached the 2025/26 season with high ambitions, before falling in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Iowa.

An early exit that weighed heavily in his decision. «If we had gone far in the tournament, we probably would have had less of a chance of getting him back , » said Todd Golden , Florida’s coach. «It’s in his competitive nature. He wants to leave his mark at Florida.»

The good news for the Gators is that eleven players from last year’s roster are still there, including Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu. For Thomas Haugh, the message is therefore simple.

«Expectations are even higher ,» he concluded. «Last year, it was already the title or nothing. This year, it’s exactly the same.»