Report: Chinyelu, Condon and Haugh Could Decide Gators Future Soon
After the 2025-2026 Florida men’s basketball season came to a close in Tampa, every Gators fan has had one question on their mind: Will Reuben Chinyelu, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh be returning to Gainesville?
According to ON3’s Zach Abolverdi, some answers could be released soon.
Haugh is reportedly “50-50” on returning to Gainesville next year, whereas Chinyelu and Condon are “trending” towards coming back for their senior seasons.
The three Gators combined for what ESPN’s Jay Bilas called “arguably the best frontcourt in the nation.”
Despite struggles early on from the perimeter, Florida’s frontcourt dominated in the paint. The Gators ended the season with the most offensive rebounds per game in the NCAA with 15.9., as Chinyelu racked up the most overall combined rebounds with 393.
The juniors also swept the board with SEC honors this year. Haugh was named First-Team All-SEC, while Chinyelu earned Second-Team honors and Condon made the third team. The center was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and earned national recognition after being named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
Haugh is virtually a locked-in first-round pick according to most mock drafts, including the CBS Sports mock draft, which has him projected as the No. 14 pick. Chinyelu and Condon are a different story, and have mostly been projected as second-round picks.
Condon put up big numbers for the Gators, averaging 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds. However, the Aussie struggled from behind the arc, shooting just 17%. If the junior returned for his senior season and improved his performance from the perimeter, that could potentially make him more appealing to NBA scouts for the 2027 draft.
After the devastating loss to Iowa, Condon informed Gators Online that the second-round exit to the Hawkeyes could play a part in his decision,
“It [the loss to Iowa] will probably influence it a little bit,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay in the moment and consult with all the boys that put so much time and effort into this team.”
Chinyelu, who surpassed Bob Smyth’s single-season double-double record of 18, also had mixed feelings following the early exit.
“I don’t know right now,” Chinyelu said. “I’m just focused on the present right now. We’ll see what the future has in store for me.”
As for Haugh, playing for the Gators has always been a dream, one that he may not be prepared to part ways with. The prospect of returning for his senior season to play alongside a special group of players and coaches will be hard to pass up, especially with the possible return of former teammate Denzel Aberdeen, who was essential to the team’s National Championship run in 2025.
Category: College Basketball, Feature Sports News, Gators Men's Basketball, NBA
