The 2027 NBA Draft is still nearly a year away, but early projections are already identifying the college players with the best opportunity to climb draft boards during the upcoming season.
While the 2026 class was loaded with elite talent, next year’s group is expected to feature several prospects who can significantly improve their stock with another year of development.
CBS Sports highlighted 10 players poised to make the big leaps ahead of the th next draft. Florida forward Thomas Haugh found himself on the list.
After surprising many by returning to Gainesville instead of entering the 2026 NBA Draft as a projected first-round pick, Haugh now has the chance to elevate his game, strengthen his pre-draft resume and solidify himself as one of the premier prospects in the 2027 class.
Haugh was by far the best player to forgo the NBA draft and return to the college basketball scene. Had he stayed in the draft, he would have likely been a top-20 pick.
“Haugh is the ultimate Swiss Army knife who will be the best player on the projected preseason top-ranked team in the sport,” author Cameron Salerno offers. “Haugh has a very strong case to be a top 10 pick this summer if he takes another jump in his overall game as the top scoring option on a loaded Gators roster.”
The majority of players of his status would have stayed in the draft, but in electing not to, he has an opportunity to win the national player of the year. Haugh’s skill set, along with playing for a team competing for a title, will only strengthen his case to become a potential lottery pick in next summer’s draft.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: How Thomas Haugh can boost his NBA draft stock in 2027
Reporting by Michael Trim Jr, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Michael Trim Jr, Gators Wire | USA TODAY Network
