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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Thomas Haugh’s return to Florida was a lifestyle decision.
The All-Southeastern Conference forward postponed his chances of becoming an NBA lottery pick when he chose to return to school for his senior season. He preferred to live with his best friend and fishing buddy, teammate Alex Condon, for another year, attend college with both of his younger siblings and chase a second national title.
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“I took a while to think about it, probably like three weeks, four weeks,” he said. “It was close.”
The money played a role, too.
If Haugh would have been drafted 14th overall (the last lottery pick), he would have signed a four-year deal for more than $26 million that would have paid him $5.4 million as a rookie. Instead, he will make roughly $7 million through name, image and likeness deals at Florida for his final year — with a chance to earn more.
“It’s crazy, but it’s a blessing,” Haugh said, adding that his little sister will keep her part-time job at the O’Connell Center. “I can attribute that to the hard work I’ve put in the last couple of years. My parents, the way they raised me, I just want to represent the University of Florida the best I can. They’re investing that much in me, and I want to invest the same amount of time and practice and hard work back to the university.”
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Haugh spent a week in Hawaii with his girlfriend contemplating his decision and credited friends, family members, coaches and even NBA standout Draymond Green with talking him through it. Haugh and Green spent 45 minutes on the phone discussing college versus the pros.
“He said he would come back,” Haugh said.
But maybe the most influential conversation was one that took place between Haugh’s mother, Jennifer, and Walter Clayton’s mom, Cherie. Walter Clayton, an NBA rookie this season, got traded from Utah to Memphis in February, and the former Florida star averaged 7.8 points a game off the bench.
“The NBA life is no joke,” Haugh said. “I think my mom didn’t…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/florida-thomas-haugh-chooses-friends-191844237.html
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Publish date : 2026-06-09 19:18:00
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