The UConn Huskies’ quest for a third straight national championship got a big boost on Wednesday when forward Alex Karaban announced he is withdrawing from the NBA draft and will return to Storrs for his junior season.
“While I’ve enjoyed the draft process, Storrs is home. Let’s run it back,” Karaban posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday afternoon.
Karaban started for the Huskies in each of the past two seasons, playing a critical role as a shooter for both of UConn’s national championship runs.
As a sophomore in 2023-24, the 6’9 wing averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 64% on two pointers and 37.9% from three on 5.5 attempts per game.
Karaban becomes the lone returning starter from UConn’s title team – with Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton out of eligibility and Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, both projected lottery picks, opting to stay in the draft process.
However, Karaban will be joined by a bevy of returning rotation players, including Samson Johnson, Hassan Diarra, Solomon Ball, and Jaylin Stewart – and the team added key additions via the transfer portal in Aidan Mahaney (Saint Mary’s) and Tarris Reed (Michigan).
Danny Hurley’s team – who also added top ranked incoming freshman Liam NcNeeley – was in solid shape before Karaban’s announced return. Now, having his experience back in the mix should vault this team into top 10 consideration as they look to do what has not been done since the 1970’s at UCLA…win back-to-back-to-back national championships.