CBS Sports reinforces Thomas Haugh's NBA Draft decision in early mock
· Yahoo Sports
Florida basketball forward Thomas Haugh's decision to return for his senior season already appears to be paying off. Brooklyn's Barclays Center was home to the 2026 NBA Draft, where BYU standout AJ Dybansta was selected No. 1 overall.
No Gators were selected throughout the 60 picks, as prospects like Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu opted to return to Gainesville for their senior seasons. Florida basketball may have better luck in next year's draft, as documented in CBS Sports' first way-too-early 2027 NBA mock draft.
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College basketball writer Cameron Salerno believes this class is less talented than the previous group, and the lack of elite potential draftees is partly due to lucrative NIL opportunities that now exist, convincing several star players to return to school despite first-round projections; Florida's trio is a prime example of this cultural shift. Haugh was projected as a late lottery selection after his junior campaign with the Gators — the 6-foot-9-inch, 215-pound power forward averaged 17.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 2025.
With his eligibility expiring, Haugh is expected to headline next year's draft along with a host of other prominent names, including Braylon Mullins, Motiejus Krivas and Amari Allen. CBS Sports' mock draft is led by incoming freshman phenom Tyran Stokes, who is anticipated to go No. 1 overall. This mock list reinforces Haugh's decision as the New Oxford, Pennsylvania, native has a chance to improve his outlook as he and the Gators vie for a second title in three seasons.
Joining Haugh in the first round is Chinyelu, who was one of the sport's best defenders last season, winning the Naismith DPOY award for his performance. Fellow frontcourt mate Alex Condon was not projected among the first 30 picks but remains a viable draft candidate after totaling 15.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
"Although this upcoming draft class isn't projected to have a true blue-chip talent like last year (Cooper Flagg), or like this past draft year with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer, it could be deeper than most initially projected because of the number of players who returned to college basketball. Think players like Florida's Thomas Haugh and Alabama's Amari Allen, who returned for another year of college ball for a payday and to improve their draft stock," Salerno writes.
CBS Sports way-too-early 2027 NBA mock draft lottery picks
- Sacramento Kings - Tyran Stokes, 6-7, Wing, Kansas, Fr.
- New Orleans Pelicans (via Bucks) - Jordan Smith Jr., 6-2, Guard, Arkansas, Fr.
- Houston Rockets (via Nets) - Caleb Holt, 6-5, Guard/Wing, Arizona, Fr.
- Chicago Bulls - Bruce Branch III, 6-7, Wing, BYU, Fr.
- Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans) - Stefan Joksimović, 6-7, Guard, Baskonia
- Memphis Grizzlies - Thomas Haugh, 6-9, Wing/Forward, Florida, Sr.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers) - Luigi Suigo, 7-3, Center, Villanova, Fr.
- Houston Rockets (via Suns) - Braylon Mullins, 6-5, Guard, Connecticut, So.
- Washington Wizards - Amari Allen, 6-8, Wing/Guard, Alabama, So.
- Orlando Magic - Patrick Ngongba II, 6-11, Center, Duke, Jr.
- Philadelphia 76ers - David Mirković, 6-9, Forward, Illinois, So.
- Charlotte Hornets (via Mavericks) - Anthony Thompson, Forward, 6-8, Ohio State, Fr.
- Golden State Warriors - Tounde Yessoufou, 6-5, Wing, St. John's, So.
- Toronto Raptors - Alijah Arenas, 6-6, Guard, USC, So.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: CBS Sports reinforces Thomas Haugh's NBA Draft decision in early mock