Florida basketball forward Thomas Haugh is coming back to the Gators, and according to one national analyst, he could be walking into the biggest NIL deal in college basketball.
The All-American forward announced his return to Gainesville for his senior season, turning down what would have been a projected lottery pick selection in the 2026 NBA draft to give the Orange and Blue a shot at another national championship.
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CBS Sports analyst Matt Norlander said Haugh is expected to be among the highest earners in college basketball next season, with sources projecting his NIL deal in line with what he would have earned in his first two NBA seasons combined had he been drafted in the top 20. That number is projected to be at least $8 million.
“Haugh, at worst, is going to be the fourth-highest paid college basketball player ever,” Norlander said on the “Eye on College Basketball” podcast. “I would be downright shocked and refuse to believe that Haugh is coming back for anything less than $8 million.”
He also noted, “That puts him in the category with Cooper Flagg, AJ Dybantsa and maybe Cameron Boozer. That’s it. Good on him for getting the bag.”
Norlander went even further, saying Florida itself is set to make history.
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“Florida is going to have the highest-paid player in all of college basketball this season,” Norlander said. “Rightfully so. He has put in the time. He’ll be a preseason First Team All-American. He was the key cog on a national championship-winning team.”
Haugh averaged a team-high 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season, scoring 20 or more points 13 times and recording four double-doubles.
For Haugh, though, the decision was never really about the money. At least not publicly.
Speaking on “SportsCenter” with Scott Van Pelt, Haugh made clear where his head was at.
“I love wearing the orange and blue and I want to represent my school and I want to go back out there and get another championship under coach (Todd) Golden and play with my guys for one more year,” Haugh said. “I think a lot of times now in college basketball, you see people chasing a check and chasing all that stuff, but for me, honestly, it’s just pride. I love playing here and I want to give all my 100% for my coach, too.”
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Haugh’s return gives the Florida Gators one of the most loaded rosters in the country heading into 2026-27. Guard Boogie Fland and forward Alex Condon are coming back, center Rueben Chinyelu has entered the NBA draft process while maintaining eligibility and the Gators also added guard Denzel Aberdeen back from Kentucky.
The pieces are in place for another title run. And now, the money is too.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball’s Thomas Haugh landed massive NIL deal after return
