Todd Golden and the Gators sign top-50 power forward Thomas Haugh
On Thursday afternoon, the University of Florida basketball program announced the addition of Thomas Haugh, as the 2023 prospect signed his letter of intent with the Gators.
Haugh, a three-star power forward from Pennsburg (Pa.) Perkiomen School, committed to the Gators on June 29 and will join the program for the 2023 season. He checks in at 6-foot-9, 200 pounds and earned additional offers from Illinois, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Northwestern and Virginia Tech among others.
According to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Haugh ranks as the No. 42 power forward and No. 207 player overall in the 2023 class. With On3, however, he is labeled as the 34th-ranked power forward.
“We are very excited to add Thomas to our program here at the University of Florida,” Golden said. “Thomas embodies many of the qualities we look for when recruiting student-athletes. He’s selfless, has a great attitude, and values the tradition and history of our program.
“On the floor, he’s a 6-foot-9 hybrid skilled forward that can dribble, pass, and shoot. He can defend multiple positions and has a great basketball IQ. He will be a great addition to our program!”
Joining forces with the Gators was a no-brainer for Haugh
Although he grew up outside of the Southeast, being able to attend the University of Florida is a dream come true for Haugh.
The 2023 prospect was presented with a scholarship offer in mid-June and then took his official visit roughly a week later. He then went public with a committment just shortly after wrapping up his weekend at the Swamp.
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Haugh, UF’s lone signee during the 2023 cycle, was initially a member of the 2022 class before deciding to take a post-grad year.
“I mean, honestly, growing up, Florida was one of my dream schools,” Haugh told Gators Online’s Pat O’Donnell after his official visit. “Growing up, I loved the university. And I come from Pennsylvania, so it was kind of unique. I was a big Tim Tebow fan, so I watched the football team a lot. And then I kind of fell in love with the basketball team, too, ‘cause they won that back-to-back national championships.
“So, growing up, I loved Florida, and then just being able to play this spring and gain a lot of high-major offers and looks, it was great to know that Florida had me on their radar. And then they came to watch me play. We got a visit set up, and I loved the visit. So then I just took it from there, and my family and I made the decision. So it was great. It was a great past couple of weeks.”
Florida earned a season-opening win earlier this week is returning this Friday vs. Kennesaw State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
