Advertisement

Run to Final Four has skyrocketed NBA Draft stock for key Florida Basketball members

Florida has three players who could potentially get drafted in June
Benjamin Henderson
Benjamin Henderson

Hail Florida Hail

Mar 1, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) and guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) react after a dunk against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images / Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Prior to Florida Basketball making its run to the Final Four, most mock drafts weren't feeling the love in Gainesville. Walter Clayton Jr. was still viewed as a fringe guy at best, and Alex Condon was considered Florida's best hope to have someone drafted.

Fast forward a month, and Gators can be found all around mock drafts, including one name that wasn't on radars at all a month ago.

Florida Basketball: Cold Man

Bleacher Report put out an updated mock draft, and they foresee Clayton getting bumped up at the tail end of the first round. In their latest mock draft, they have him going to the Phoenix Suns at pick 29.

They noted that his shot-making ability is going to intrigue teams who might be willing to look past other perceived weaknesses.

Another surprising name emerged over the last month. He has also seen his draft stock skyrocket, and it's not Condon.

Thomas Haugh came in at 34th to the Charlotte Hornets in Bleacher Report's mock draft. They noted of Haugh:

"At 6'9", his shooting and passing are obvious draws, but he also makes a lot of off-ball plays as a rim runner, cutter, and offensive rebounder."

They also pointed out that he feels like a guy who would benefit from one more year in college to see if he could elevate himself into a lottery pick.

Condon also makes the list of draftable Gators. He has seen his stock dip over the last month as he has struggled at times since coming back from the ankle injury he had against Mississippi State.

In their mock draft, Condon goes 46th overall to the Utah Jazz. Like Haugh, they point out he is another guy who could benefit from returning in 2026 after testing the waters in 2025.

The NBA Draft is on June 25. Prospects can declare on April 26, but have until June 15 to withdraw their name if they don't feel they will get drafted as high as they want. Clayton, for example, went through the process last year but came back to the Gators.

The last two active Gators who were drafted by the NBA were Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis in 2021.

Benjamin Henderson

Benjamin Henderson

Benjamin Henderson is the site expert for Hail Florida Hail and is a contributor with All U Can Heat. A lifelong Florida resident, Benjamin has previous experience with The Johnsonian, The Tampa Tribune, The Tampa Bay Times, and 813 Preps. When he's not watching the Gators, he coaches soccer, watches wrestling, and is reminded that he's not as good as he once was on Xbox.