Florida’s Thomas Haugh Earns Spot on Julius Erving Award Midseason Watch List
Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh has been named to the midseason watch list for the 2026 Julius Erving Award, recognizing the nation’s top small forward. The announcement was made on February 5, 2026.
The Julius Erving Award has previously been awarded to players who have gone on to successful NBA careers, including Cooper Flagg, Dalton Knecht, Jalen Wilson, and Rui Hachimura. This recognition places Haugh among a select group of collegiate players currently vying for the prestigious honor.
Haugh is one of three players from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to be included on the top 10 list. He joins Tennessee’s Nate Ament and Texas’ Dailyn Swain as representatives of the conference. Other notable players on the list include AJ Dybansta of BYU and Chad Baker-Mazara of USC.
The junior from Florida has emerged as a leader for the Gators this season, consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic and averaging 34 minutes per game. He is currently averaging 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists over 22 games played.
Haugh’s performance this season has been marked by several key achievements, including four double-doubles and nine games where he scored 20 or more points. His contributions have not gone unnoticed by other award committees, as he is also on the Wooden Award midseason Top 25 list and was recently named a Sporting News midseason Third Team All-American.
His rising profile has also translated to increased attention from NBA scouts, with his name appearing on several mock draft boards as a potential lottery pick in the upcoming summer draft.
Fans have the opportunity to participate in the selection process by voting in the remaining rounds at hoophallawards.com, beginning Friday. The fan vote carries the weight of one committee vote in determining the finalists for the award.
Haugh and the Florida Gators are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, February 8, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. ET, when they travel to face Texas A&M on the road.
