Meet Thomas Haugh — the 6’9” forward from New Oxford, Pennsylvania, who is returning to Florida for his junior season. Haugh already looked like a pro last year, with his combination of size, length, shooting touch, and defensive instincts making him one of the most valuable role players in the country.
Despite coming off the bench for Florida’s national championship team, Haugh made a massive impact on both ends of the floor. His sophomore season was nothing short of remarkable: he posted the highest offensive rating in the SEC and the second-highest in the entire NCAA at 138.1.
Haugh’s game is the definition of winning basketball. On offense, he excels as a screener, cutter, and off-ball mover — constantly finding open space and making himself available. He’s the kind of player who raises a team’s ceiling without needing the ball in his hands. His shooting adds another layer to his value, connecting on 34% from three and finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 55.9%.
Defensively, Haugh shines just as bright. He finished 10th in the SEC in defensive rating (99.4) and 11th in defensive win shares, showing his ability to anchor possessions and make the right rotations.
All this production came in a bench role, where he still averaged 9.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Advanced metrics love him, too — his 11.2 box plus-minus ranked 6th in the SEC and 17th nationally, an incredible feat for someone who wasn’t even a full-time starter.
Haugh likely could have entered the NBA Draft and found a spot, but he chose to return to Gainesville to help Florida chase another title. This year, he’ll reunite with his former high school teammate and dynamic transfer Xavier Lee, forming a dangerous duo in pick-and-pop and off-ball actions.
For Florida fans, Thomas Haugh is more than just a role player — he’s the glue that holds a championship team together. And in 2025, he may just prove he’s much more than that.
