League: NCAAM Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Coaching

Coaches vote Thomas Haugh as top college basketball player for 2026-27

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 3:36 PM

Last updated Aug 19, 2026

Coaches vote Thomas Haugh as top college basketball player for 2026-27

Summary

In a survey conducted by CBS Sports, Florida's Thomas Haugh emerged as the favorite among coaches to be the best college basketball player for the upcoming 2026-27 season, receiving 43% of the votes. Michigan State's Jeremy Fears was noted as a significant contender, gathering 15% of the votes, with Tyler Tanner from Vanderbilt close behind at 14%. Coaches praised Haugh for his all-around game and leadership qualities, particularly noting his experience and impact at Florida. The retention of experienced players has been emphasized as a boost to overall talent in college basketball, likely resulting in a focus on upperclassmen this season. The survey queried nearly 100 Division I coaches as part of their annual Candid Coaches feature.

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CBS Sports

Key Details

•Thomas Haugh (Florida) received 43% of votes from coaches.
•Jeremy Fears (Michigan State) and Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt) also received significant support.
•Survey included insights from nearly 100 Division I coaches.
•Retention of skilled players affects the competitive this season.
•Coaches noted the impact of NIL and revenue-sharing on player decisions.

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