Thomas Haugh pulling a U-turn and returning to Florida for the 2026-27 college basketball season is the most unexpected move of the offseason, and honestly, it’s wild. This dude was very likely a top 20 pick if he had just stayed in the draft, and it’s almost unheard of for a player of his talent to come back. We are talking about the favorite to win national player of the year next season, folks.
The Ultimate Swiss Army Knife Is Staying Put
You hear “Swiss Army knife” thrown around a lot, but Haugh really is that guy. He’s the best player on the projected preseason top-ranked team in college basketball, those Florida Gators. Imagine the kind of season he could have as the top scoring option on a loaded roster. If Haugh takes another big jump in his overall game, he makes a very strong case to be a top 10 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. It just sets up so much drama and excitement for college hoops next year, knowing a talent like that chose to stay.
Mullins’ Shot Heard ‘Round The World
Another name that’s got everyone buzzing is UConn’s Braylon Mullins. He’s going to be one of the most recognizable faces in college basketball this season, especially after he hit one of the most clutch shots in NCAA Tournament history against Duke in the Elite Eight. Mullins is a serious draft prospect, no doubt. He likely would have been picked in the back half of the first round if he had jumped into the 2026 NBA Draft. He was heralded as a shooter coming out of high school, and he proved he can deliver when it matters most.
The 2027 NBA Draft might be 11 months away, but we’re already seeing potential risers emerge. Last month’s 2026 draft was stacked with blue-chip talent like AJ Dybantsa going first, followed by Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson at Nos. 2-4. Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes, the top-ranked player in the 2026 recruiting cycle, is the current favorite to go No. 1 in 2027. This 2027 class might not be as “historic” as the 2026 one, but it’s still set to produce impact players. Guys like Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz, and Alabama’s Labaron Philon all went in the first round after boosting their stock. Collin Murray-Boyles went No. 9 to Toronto in 2025 after returning to South Carolina and had a standout rookie season. Besides Haugh and Mullins, keep an eye on Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II and Alabama’s Amari Allen. These guys are all about to put on a show in the 2026-27 college season.
The million-dollar question now is, who else is going to join this list? We’ve got 100 and 1 days until college basketball kicks off. Get ready to watch these guys fight for their spots, because the 2026-27 season is gonna be HUGE for their draft futures.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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