Todd Golden said Thomas Haugh will be a starter
National Champion Florida Gators Reveal Starting Lineup Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Florida Gators accomplished everything they wanted to during the 2024-25 season. Head coach Todd Golden's squad finished with a 36-4 record, an SEC Tournament title and the third national championship in program history. While the backcourt trio of Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard was a big part of Florida's success, the Gators' frontcourt was just as important.
Included in this frontcourt were Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and Thomas Haugh. Condon and Chinyelu started at forward and center, while Haugh was Florida's biggest weapon off the bench.
Haugh has been a force as the Gators' sixth man the past two years, but he will be getting his shot at a starting role next season.
Golden said that he plans to start Haugh at the small forward position alongside Condon and Chinyelu in the 2025-26 season, according to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein.
The 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward has appeared in 76 games across two years in Gainesville, making seven spot starts. This included playing in all 40 of Florida's games a year ago, as he took on a much bigger role. Haugh averaged 24.4 minutes, just under 10 points and over six rebounds per game in Florida's title-winning season.
With the Gators' trio of guards leaving for the NBA this offseason, Golden appears to be looking at having a bigger, more traditional starting lineup next year. Instead of three guards, Florida will likely start transfers Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee at the one and two, with Haugh, Condon and Chinyelu rounding out the five.
With the production Haugh provided off the bench on offense and defense the past two seasons, there is no doubt he will be just as effective in a starting role as Golden and Florida look to defend their national title next season.
Related: Fans Can't Get Enough of Florida's 7-Foot-9 Center in Latest MrBeast Video
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
