Last Dance? Three Gators Eye NBA Future as NCAA Tournament Begins

Much like the 2025 iteration of the Gators, this year’s Florida team is led by three players with NBA dreams. The backcourt of Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijha Martin are wearing NBA jerseys this season after a championship run in the NCAA Tournament. This year’s frontcourt, Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, will look to achieve the same feat.

The sports world turns its head towards college basketball every March. The madness is back in 2026, and NBA scouts and general managers will come together to watch some of the best and brightest in college basketball compete on the biggest stage.

Three of the stars of the Florida Gators are expected to test the NBA draft waters following a tournament run. Each has a unique play style that will make the transition seamless, or a struggle, at the next level.

Thomas Haugh

The latest ESPN mock draft projects Haugh as a lottery pick.Haugh’s exact  role in the NBA is up for debate.

Typically, NBA teams drafting in the lottery look for an upside player to turn the franchise around. There are multiple players like that in this draft class. The freshman class in particular has several, including Cameron Boozer at Duke, AJ Dybantsa at BYU and Darryn Peterson at Kansas. Haugh does not fit that mold.

Instead, he does a lot of the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. 

“I don’t know if anyone in the country plays harder in the country than Thomas Haugh,” Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington said.

If Haugh isn’t the kind of player who can fully change the trajectory of a team, where in the lottery would be a good landing spot? Well, it just so happens that an already competitive team, with multiple franchise players, has a lottery pick. The San Antonio Spurs have a pick swap coming from the Atlanta Hawks for the 2026 draft.

The Spurs would be a perfect fit for Haugh. As he continues to improve his 3-point shot, he can slide in at the power forward spot. Victor Wembanyama has the size to cover up any issues with Haugh being 6-foot-9. San Antonio has young players at each guard slot in Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, while Devin Vassell holds down the small forward position. The Spurs play Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie at the four, which will allow for a smooth transition to Haugh. 

This is the dream scenario for Haugh. Going to a place where he is not needed to be a superstar, but rather play his role, is the way he can have a long and successful NBA career.

Alex Condon

Condon is projected to go just outside the first round. A strong stretch of games in March would push his stock up into the first. 

Condon’s fit at the next level is a bit more confusing than Haugh’s. With his back-to-the-basket style of play becoming less common at the next level, he will need to develop his 3-point shot. That was the message he received last season when he went through the pre-draft process.

This season, his shooting has taken a step back. He shot 32.8% from three last year, but only 17% this year. Many of his misses are not even close. It is not uncommon to hear shouts of “airball” directed at Condon in road games.

The Memphis Grizzlies are the team currently projected to take the chance on Condon. A reunion with Clayton would be fun for fans, but his fit in Memphis raises questions. 

The team currently plays a smaller lineup, with GG Jackson playing power forward, which is where Condon will likely play in the NBA. At full health, the Grizzlies also have Zach Edey. The big man would be unplayable with Condon with the spacing required in the modern NBA. Neither player can make a 3-pointer, which would create a clunky offense. 

Condon must hang his hat on defense to find his way onto the floor at the next level.

Reuben Chinyelu

A player who has already proven himself on the defensive end is Chinyelu. Currently slated as a second-round pick to the Orlando Magic, he could stay in the state of Florida.

The Magic currently have Wendell Carter Jr., Mortiz Wagner and Goga Bitadze at the center position. None of these players have done enough to cement himself as a clear top option.

While Carter and Bitadze are both under contract for multiple seasons, Wagner is an upcoming free agent. Chinyelu would be able to slot in as the third center in Orlando, before potentially replacing one of Bitadze or Carter down the road.

For someone with Chinyelu’s potential, being drafted to a place where he can continue to hone his offensive game without the pressure to immediately contribute would be a win. The next step in the evolution of his game is to become a better passer, taking advantage of the double teams in the post.

Category: Gators Men's Basketball, NBA