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

Thomas Haugh heads list of top college basketball players returning

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 12:31 PM

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

Thomas Haugh heads list of top college basketball players returning

Summary

The return of several key players marks a significant shift in college basketball for the 2026-27 season. Florida's Thomas Haugh, projected as a top-20 NBA Draft pick, will stay in school, alongside Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu. Their return strengthens Florida’s roster, likely making them preseason favorites. Other notable returnees include Jeremy Fears Jr. of Michigan State and Braylon Mullins of UConn, enhancing each program's title prospects. This trend of retention continues to grow, impacting roster dynamics and the upcoming NBA Draft.

Source Links

CBS Sports

Key Details

•Thomas Haugh is returning to Florida instead of entering the NBA Draft.
•Jeremy Fears Jr. and Patrick Ngongba II are among other key retentions.
•College basketball has seen an increase in player retention in recent years.
•Players returning boosts both their teams and the sport overall.
•The 2027 NBA Draft class is projected to be weaker than the current one.

Latest Updates

12:31 PMCBS Sports — Thomas Haugh, Patrick Ngongba, Jeremy Fears Jr. headline the top 25 retentions in college basketball

What they're saying

"
Often more valuable than a big-name transfer are the star players that teams retain and bring back for another season
— CBS Sportsby Cameron Salerno

Related Teams & Leagues

NCAAM College Sports