Thomas Ho was seen as a likely lottery pick for the 2026 NBA Draft. He was ranked 13th overall by ESPN on their big board, which is usually a pretty good indicator of how NBA teams are viewing potential draftees. SB Nation even had him projected to go 21st in a post-March Madness mock draft, which is kind of low for someone with his credentials. Generally, players this sought after transition to the pros, but NIL has shifted things around.
On Wednesday, he announced that he would be returning to Florida for his senior year. This decision came as a surprise and positions the Gators as potential front-runners in the preseason polls and as favorites for the 2027 National Championship. His teammate, Alex Condon, is also staying, while Ruben Chiniel is exploring the draft but hasn’t transferred yet. It seems like this key trio will be reuniting for another run at a title next season.
Even before NIL was a factor, it wasn’t unheard of for top prospects to opt for more college time. I recall covering players like Miles Bridges and Robert Williams, who decided to return to school rather than enter the 2017 NBA Draft. Joakim Noah is another example; he came back to Florida ahead of what could’ve been a top lottery pick in 2006. We’ve also seen how NIL has reshaped football, keeping high-caliber players in college longer. Still, Ho’s choice is unusual in today’s landscape. It’s been nearly a decade since such a touted player opted to stay in school.
It’s clear Ho must have landed a significant NIL deal to return, as confirmed by The Athletic’s Sam Veceny. According to insider reports, Ho is expected to be one of the highest-paid players in college basketball next season, potentially earning as much as he would in his first two NBA seasons if selected in the draft’s top 20.
Ho is expected to be one of the highest-paid players in college basketball next season, with people familiar with the decision predicting he could earn nearly as much as his first two NBA seasons combined if he is selected in the top 20 of this year’s draft.
NIL contracts for college athletes are usually confidential, but if you pay attention, you can often catch wind of the figures floating around. For instance, AJ Divantha’s NIL deal at BYU is reported to be around $7 million, and Caitlin Clark at Iowa is said to have made over $3 million in her senior year. It’s not clear what Cooper Flagg or Cameron Boozer earned at Duke, but it was likely a significant amount.
From what I’ve gathered, Divanza is considered the highest-paid player in college basketball history, but Ho is likely about to surpass him. CBS insider Matt Norlander has estimated that Ho could make at least $8 million next season at Florida.
“Florida will have the highest-paid player in college basketball this season, and rightly so,” noted Norlander.
Ho will turn 23 on July 7th. Even if he had entered the 2026 Draft, he’d still be on the older side for a rookie. Michigan star Jaxel Lendeborg returned to college last year after NBA scouts told him that age wasn’t a significant factor. Though his age likely didn’t hinder his stock, Ho’s situation for the 2027 Draft is an interesting one, especially since older prospects are still in the mix for top lottery picks.
The perception of the 2027 Draft suggests it might have less talent compared to the 2026 class. Does this mean Ho shouldn’t be overly concerned? It’s tough to say. With a national championship already under his belt and a reputation as a solid 3-and-D wing, one would think he would benefit more from jumping to the NBA, especially since scouts viewed him as a lottery pick already.
There were some concerns regarding Ho’s game last season. His steal rate of 1.8 percent over two seasons is below the 2.5 percent threshold preferred by scouts, and his rebounding numbers were pretty average. His three-point shooting also leaves something to be desired, finishing at 32.6 percent from beyond the arc. While he did have decent efficiency near the rim, the overall stats raise some eyebrows.
Florida is likely to utilize his skills effectively, and I think Ho will find ways to play his role well. But if he doesn’t develop anything new in his game, like Lendeborg did, scouts might reconsider whether he truly belongs in the lottery.
The biggest risk in Thomas Ho’s return is him. Number 2 NBA contract
The real money in the NBA generally comes with the second contract. If a player is good enough, those NIL funds and rookie contracts seem minuscule by comparison.
Returning to Florida means Ho will complete his four-year rookie contract and be 28 by the time he can sign his second deal. Compare that to someone like Cameron Boozer, who will be four years younger and just 24 when he lands his second contract, poised to make significant NBA money. Age is always seen as a factor—with teams often favoring younger talent—so by his early 30s, many players experience a decline.
Ho’s decision could pay off, of course. Maybe he’ll hit new heights in shooting and rebounding while keeping his status as a lottery pick, especially if Florida makes a strong run again. Or perhaps the NBA will shift toward valuing more experienced players at the top of the draft.
Age really does play a crucial role in sports, especially when considering potential upside. Personally, I think that if Ho was really projected to be a top 15 pick, he should have gone pro. Sure, the NBA will always be there, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be valued the same way later on.
In any case, it seems like a solid choice for Ho to stay and follow both his heart and financial prospects. The NBA can be a tough environment, and next season should bring excitement for Florida based on their talent and experience—at least until the postseason hits.
It’s incredible to think that Thomas Ho might pull in over $8 million next year. That’s akin to what Tre Johnson, the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made as a rookie. NIL is proving to be a game-changer, even eclipsing rookie NBA salaries at least in the short term. Mr. Ho is truly capitalizing on this historic opportunity.
