Florida forward Thomas Haugh enters the 2026-27 college basketball season with another opportunity to earn one of the sport's highest individual honors.
The 6-foot-9-inch, 215-pound, New Oxford, Pennsylvania, native was named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award's 20-player preseason watch list, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
Haugh garners the recognition after being named an All-American in 2026. The 2025 NCAA national champion averaged 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds last season, finishing with All-SEC honors in addition. He is also listed for the preseason SEC player of the year award.
National expectations have grown for Todd Golden's program as the Gators return a majority of its core and a front court
featuring three NBA draft prospects in Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon. Florida has three players on Naismith starting five watch lists, with Boogie Fland and Denzel Aberdeen earning consideration for the Bob Cousy and Jerry West awards, respectively.
The Gators open their regular season Monday against Miami in Tampa, where Haugh begins his pursuit of another standout campaign and potentially the prestigious Erving Award.
Julius Erving small forward of the year award watchlist
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Thomas Haugh named to Julius Erving Award preseason watch list
