After much deliberation, anticipation and a bit of time, Alex Karaban is officially returning to Storrs, Conn. next season to play out his redshirt senior year. While there was much speculation that the forward would instead opt for the NBA, Karaban noted that his “heart remains in Storrs,” and that he has “unfinished business to chase another national championship with [his] brothers.” In the final edition of Sargeant’s Orders, we will discuss what Karaban’s return means for him and UConn.
Karaban’s decision is ideal for the UConn men’s basketball team, as the senior could have conceivably declared for the draft, been picked in the second round and left Connecticut as one of the most decorated players in program history. However, with NIL, the ability to improve his draft stock and the chance to chase some “unfinished business,” Karaban will stay and UConn will benefit.
No matter what the squad would have looked like next year for the Huskies, they are better off with Karaban on it than off it. Perhaps the most prominent reason is that the 2025-2026 campaign will be his fourth season under Hurley and the Connecticut coaching staff. The forward will become even better at fitting into the complicated, European offensive style that UConn implements. Karaban will also play an important role in getting newcomers Silas Demary Jr. and Braylon Mullins, both of whom are expected to be starters on next year’s roster, up to speed.
As should be no surprise, Karaban will be a day one starter for the Huskies, and with that, he will be expected to play a focal point in the offense. Karaban is off the heels of a solid 14 points per game season, on 44% shooting from the field and 35% from beyond the arc. However, both shooting percentages are career lows for the Southborough, Mass. native. While some may look at these statistics and chalk up last year as a failure for Karaban, it is not that black and white.
Karaban played solidly throughout the season, notwithstanding a tough month of Big East play. Karaban was also on a relatively young squad that faced tough opponents throughout the regular season, such as St. John’s, Creighton and Gonzaga. Despite also facing injuries to some key players, Liam McNeeley and Hassan Diarra, UConn made it to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 8 seed and went toe-to-toe with the eventual national champions, Florida. This also doesn’t consider that the program faced significant turnover from the previous season, losing four starters to the NBA.
While no one questions his value for UConn, this season is the perfect opportunity to dismiss any doubts about his ability to play at a high level. Even if Karaban struggles to find the bottom of the net at times, he has proven he is a valuable contributor.
Whether he was playing solid defense, snagging rebounds or cashing in on timely buckets, Karaban has proven time and time again that he can make winning plays, even if he isn’t lighting up the scoreboard like he is accustomed to.
Even after narrowly beating out UConn in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Florida head coach Todd Golden had nothing but the utmost respect for Karaban, describing him as an “incredible winner.” However, Golden has been far from the only one paying his respects to the 22-year-old forward.
Win or lose, nearly everyone UConn has faced throughout the season has not been afraid to give Karaban his flowers, citing his high basketball IQ and winning history during his three-year stint. Hurley has also chimed in, noting that Karaban is as big of a winner as it gets.
“Alex has accomplished everything you can in college, and more with what he’s been able to do,” said Hurley. “No one wins one national championship; he won two in a row, and then he came back with honor to try to get a third, and he fought and led and was awesome.”
UConn fans should be rejoicing at the news announced last Tuesday regarding Karaban’s return to Storrs. Karaban, along with junior Jaylin Stewart, will be an excellent one-two combination at power forward that will give UConn a leg up on their opponents. Karaban and the rest of the Huskies look to reclaim their Big East crown and bring national championship No. 7 to the Basketball Capital of the World.