Florida forward Thomas Haugh (10) interacts with fans as the Florida Gators face the Kentucky Wildcats at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla. (Matthew Lewis/WRUF)

Florida’s Thomas Haugh Earns AP Preseason All-America Honors

Florida forward Thomas Haugh was named to the AP preseason All-America team Wednesday. It is the third time a Gator has earned the honor.

Haugh led Florida with 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 2025-26, then decided to forgo the NBA Draft in hopes of bringing another title back to Gainesville.

He was named preseason SEC Player of the Year on Oct. 13 and selected to the preseason All-SEC first team, setting him up for another dominant season.

The honors match the expectations on Florida, the AP preseason No. 1 team in the country, with one of the best-constructed and most well-rounded rosters in the nation, led by coach Todd Golden.

In Florida’s 82-76 exhibition loss to Baylor, Haugh scored a team-high 19 points on 4-for-13 shooting (31%) in 39 minutes and added five rebounds. He was one of the few bright spots for the Gators.

Florida, which played the nation’s sixth-toughest schedule last season, returns four of five starters and a battle-tested roster. Denzel Aberdeen, a former Gator who spent last season at Kentucky, is back after winning a court battle over his eligibility, which allows him to play a fifth season.

The Gators open the season Nov. 2 in Tampa against No. 14 Miami.

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Men's Basketball