Florida’s Thomas Haugh is turning heads in a big way this season, and now he’s officially on the national radar. On Wednesday, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame named the Gators’ junior forward to the Julius Erving Award Midseason Top 10 list - a prestigious nod that highlights the top small forwards in college basketball each year.
And let’s be clear: Haugh’s earned every bit of it.
The 6-foot-9 Pennsylvania native has been a driving force for Florida, leading the team with 17.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He’s already stacked up nine 20-point outings, and his impact goes well beyond the box score. Haugh’s motor, versatility, and ability to finish through contact have been key for a Florida squad that’s looking to build on last season’s national title run.
His latest performance - a 22-point showing in a win over Alabama - helped the Gators notch their fourth top-25 win of the season. That game wasn’t just a statement; it was a showcase of what Haugh brings to the table when the lights are brightest.
“That was crazy,” Haugh said after the game. “It was like a track meet, going up and down, but that’s our style of ball.”
That style - high tempo, high energy, and high efficiency - fits Haugh like a glove. He’s taken on a much larger role this season, and the numbers back it up.
After averaging just 24.5 minutes per game during Florida’s title run, he’s now logging a team-high 33.9 minutes per contest. He’s not just playing more - he’s doing more with it.
Earlier this season, Haugh was named to Sporting News’ Midseason third team All-America and picked up SEC Player of the Week honors back in November after big-time wins over Florida State and Miami. That week helped set the tone for what’s become a breakout campaign.
Interestingly, Haugh started the year on the watch list for the Karl Malone Award - which recognizes the nation’s top power forward - but has since transitioned to the Erving Award list. That position shift speaks volumes about his versatility and skillset. Whether he’s banging in the post or stretching the floor, Haugh’s game has evolved to fit whatever Florida needs.
He’s also the first Gator to appear on the Erving Award watch list since Keyontae Johnson in 2020 - a reminder that Florida knows how to develop elite wing talent. And if he wins it? He’d be just the second SEC player to ever claim the honor, joining Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, who took home the award in 2024.
Haugh is one of three SEC players on this year’s midseason list, alongside Tennessee’s Nate Ament and Texas’ Dailyn Swain. That trio is helping redefine what wing play looks like in the conference - long, athletic, and skilled on both ends.
Past winners of the Julius Erving Award include names like Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2025), Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Rui Hachimura - all players who’ve made their mark at the next level. Haugh’s not there yet, but he’s firmly on the path.
Next up for Florida: a road test in College Station against Texas A&M, where the Gators will aim for their 17th win of the season and eighth in SEC play. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. Saturday, with coverage beginning at 8 on WRUF.
If Haugh keeps playing like this, it won’t just be award lists he’s climbing - it’ll be draft boards, too.