Thomas Haugh continues to pile up preseason recognitions ahead of his senior season at Florida.
CBS Sports named the senior forward a unanimous first-team preseason All-American for the 2026-27 season, placing him alongside Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr., Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner, Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes and Illinois forward David Mirkovic. Haugh and Fears were the only unanimous first-team selections.
Haugh’s rise is one of college basketball's more remarkable stories. He arrived at Florida as a three-star prospect and has developed into one of the country's best players, returning for his senior season after passing on a likely first-round NBA draft pick. CBS Sports noted that Haugh could again average around 17 points and six rebounds for a Florida team it considers the strongest preseason No. 1 in years.
The next step is obvious. Haugh shot 32% from 3-point range last season, and CBS Sports pointed to improved perimeter shooting and more on-ball creation as the areas that could push him firmly into lottery-pick territory for the 2027 NBA Draft. It's a similar position to where Alex Condon was a year ago; Haugh's energy, transition scoring, cutting, and defense already make him one of the country's most complete forwards, however.
The recognition also reinforces how high expectations are for Florida entering the season. The Gators are expected to begin the year as the preseason No. 1 team, and Haugh will be one of the faces of a roster trying to make another national title run.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Thomas Haugh earns unanimous CBS Sports All-America honor