Florida Gators star forward Thomas Haugh has been named the SEC Preseason Player of the Year.
Haugh led the way on the All-SEC Preseason First-Team list, which was revealed on Monday. Alongside Haugh is Tennessee guard Juke Harris, Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard, Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner and Florida center Rueben Chinyelu.
Haugh is the obvious choice for SEC Preseason Player of the Year after announcing his decision to run it back for Todd Golden and the Gators. Haugh won a national title with the Gators in 2024-25 and was named a first-team All-SEC forward at the end of last season. With Haugh, Chinyelu and forward Alex Condon back in action this season, the Gators are set to be one of the toughest squads in college basketball once again.
Last season, Haugh averaged 17.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while posting solid block and steal numbers (2.1 stocks per game). Haugh is a true matchup nightmare, standing at 6-foot-9, 215 pounds but boasting an ability to spread the floor with a 33% rate from behind the 3-point arc. Uber-athletic, Haugh is also a legitimate post-up threat and excels at getting to the free throw line. Haigh drained 154 free throws last season — among the most in the SEC.
The Gators are set to tip off the 2026 season on Nov. 2 against Miami in Tampa, Florida.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
