The 2026 NBA Draft certainly possesses excellent big men like Patrick Ngongba II and brilliant guards like Darryn Peterson. However, one of the more underrated prospects in the class is Florida forward Thomas Haugh. Unquestionably, Haugh has demonstrated himself as a high-energy forward who has the versatility to be an impactful two-way player. He has been key to Florida’s NCAA championship last season, and a big-time player for them this season. With the new year arriving and conference play starting up, now is the perfect time to become more familiar with Haugh. Let’s dive into a prospect overview of the 2026 NBA Draft prospect, Thomas Haugh.
2026 NBA Draft Prospect Overview: Florida’s Thomas Haugh
Areas Of Excellence
Excellent Athleticism
One of the standout things that make up Haugh as a prospect is his athletic abilities. Standing at six-foot-nine, Haugh has shown an excellent combination of bounce, quickness, and coordination that is great for someone of his size. He can beat opposing forwards and bigs down the court in transition. Furthermore, his vertical athleticism also allows him to play above the rim and be a strong force on the glass. His overall athleticism brings a level of dynamism on both ends of the court.
Strong Rim Scoring
Another strong point for Haugh is his great rim scoring. Haugh has demonstrated solid touch around the rim, operating well as a cutter and in transition. He is shooting 47.1% from the field and 57.9% on two-pointers. His athleticism and large frame allow him to power past opposing defenders to finish at the rim or draw contact. He knows exactly when and where to cut towards the rim, making himself available for easy looks. In terms of transition, his aforementioned athleticism and physical tools help him race down the court, where he can finish with authority. Considering his rim-based scoring, Haugh also goes to the free-throw line at a solid rate, shooting 72.7% from the charity stripe on 5.5 attempts per game. He even has enough ball-handling ability to put the ball on the floor for straight-line drives and attacking closeouts.
Great Defense, Energy, And Physicality
Some of the strongest aspects of Haugh as a prospect are his defensive versatility and motor. His combination of athleticism and size grants him the versatility to guard multiple positions, from wings to smaller big men. Furthermore, he has the quickness to be a switchable defender who can defend guards as well. Also, and more importantly, Haugh constantly plays hard on every possession. He consistently demonstrates a high level of competition out on the court, playing physical defense. While it does lead to unnecessary fouls at times, Haugh’s ability to pressure opposing players is a great skill to have for his position. Plus, Haugh has the basketball IQ to know exactly where he needs to be in terms of rotating defensively.
Impactful Rebounding
In conjunction with his defense, Haugh is also a talented rebounder. He is currently averaging 6.4 rebounds per game and is a strong rebounder on the offensive end. In particular, his athleticism and motor help him fight for offensive boards, crashing from the perimeter. He outleap opposing players, keeping plays alive or scoring second-chance points. His length and height also assist him as he can outrebound smaller players.
Dec 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) drives to the basket past Dartmouth Big Green forward Brandon Mitchell-Day (21) during the second half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Areas Of Concern
Inconsistent Shooting
Despite his strong abilities as a cutter, finisher, and transition threat, one inconsistent area for Haugh is his shooting. While not a bad shooter by any means, his shooting has only presented itself as flashes, despite his solid shooting form. In particular, he is only shooting 33.3% from three this season. While 5.4 attempts per game is commendable and shows his confidence in shooting, he hasn’t proven himself as a real threat. If he can become a better shooter, it would cement his versatility as a player and raise his ceiling significantly.
Unimpressive Shot Creation And Handle
Other areas in his offensive game that are lacking are his abilities as a shot creator and ball-handler. Simply put, Haugh isn’t the type of player who goes creating his own shot. He lacks the ball-handling to efficiently create off the dribble, having trouble with the ball when pressured. To be fair, Haugh has enough handling to be able to attack closeouts or perform straight-line drives. However, he shouldn’t be relied upon as someone to create a basket out of nothing.
Isn’t The Youngest
While not the biggest issue in the world, Haugh isn’t a young prospect. Specifically, he is currently 22 years old and will have three seasons of college under his belt when he gets drafted. Furthermore, Haugh will turn 23 shortly after the draft. To be sure, his age and time in college will give him the edge over other prospects in terms of NBA readiness. However, he can be viewed as having more limited upside compared to younger prospects.
The Last Word
Overall, Florida forward Thomas Haugh is an athletic and versatile forward whose motor and skill allow him to be an impactful player on both ends. Defensively, he has the perfect blend of athleticism and energy to be a multi-positional defender who can guard up and down the lineup. Plus, he is a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Haugh uses those aforementioned traits to be a real rim threat, thriving off of cuts and transition opportunities. Unquestionably, he thrives as a cutter and in transition, constantly moving to get free for a dunk. Furthermore, Haugh has shown upside as a shooter and passer. Haugh has the potential, talent, and skill to be a real two-way forward who can positively impact an NBA team.
Featured Image: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images