Thomas Haugh named favorite to win National Player of the Year
In a survey that featured 100 college basketball coaches, Thomas Haugh was named as the overwhelming favorite to be the sport's best player.
Thomas Haugh, the senior forward from Florida, is widely anticipated to win the National Player of the Year award for the 2026-27 season. This recognition comes after the Gators secured a national championship in 2025, with Haugh returning to his alma mater for his senior year once again. In a CBS Sports poll of college coaches, Haugh received the highest number of votes, 43%, making him the front-runner.
Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. followed in second place with 15%, while Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner trailed with 14%. Haugh's exceptional talent is not solely defined by his scoring and rebounding abilities, but by his ability to excel in various aspects of the game. An anonymous coach praised his comprehensive game, noting his proficiency in scoring, rebounding, defense across multiple positions, playmaking for teammates, and consistently making sound basketball decisions.
With the Gators retaining a majority of the core players following a loss to No. 9 Iowa, Haugh is now part of the No. 1 ranked team in CBS Sports' Top 25 and preseason rankings, potentially making him the first non-freshman to win the award since Zach Edey in 2024.
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