Florida forward Thomas Haugh enters the 2026-27 season as one of college basketball's most highly regarded players.

The Associated Press named Haugh to its preseason All-America team on Wednesday, receiving 56 votes from a 58-person media panel. Only Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. earned more support, with 57 votes.

The honor comes after Haugh led Florida in scoring at 17.1 points per game last season and earned third-team AP All-America honors. The 6-foot-9-inch forward returned to Gainesville instead of entering the NBA draft, giving the Gators back one of the centerpieces of a roster ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25.

Haugh is also one of several key players remaining from Florida’s 2025 national championship team. Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and Denzel Aberdeen are back as well, giving the Gators an experienced core as they chase another title.

Haugh made Florida’s expectations clear to the AP, calling the upcoming season “national championship or bust” and pointing to the veteran roster's maturity.

AP preseason All-America team

1. Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State — 57 votes

2. Thomas Haugh, Florida — 56

3. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt — 43

4. David Mirkovic, Illinois — 24

5. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona — 17

Haugh and Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner give the SEC two players on the five-man preseason team. Tanner earned 43 votes after averaging 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals last season.