Alex Karaban returning to UConn basketball, withdraws from NBA draft: 'Last Dance'

USA Today

29-04-2025

Alex Karaban returning to UConn basketball, withdraws from NBA draft: 'Last Dance'
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Dan Hurley explains how his UConn players have changed his life
An emotional Dan Hurley speaks to the media after UConn's second round loss to No. 1 Florida.
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Two national championship rings appear not to be enough for UConn basketball forward Alex Karaban.
The Huskies' captain announced on Tuesday that he is returning for one final season to finish some "unfinished business." By returning to Storrs, Connecticut, to play for Dan Hurley one more season, Karaban has withdrawn his name from the upcoming NBA draft, for which he initially declared.
"I pride myself on accepting challenges and holding myself to the highest standard. Last year, we didn't achieve what we set out to, and I am not running from the chance to make that right! After deliberating the last few weeks with my coaches and family about my future, I've realized that my heart remains in Storrs, and I have unfinished business to chase another national championship with my brothers," Karaban wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
"Let's run it back one last time! #LastDance."
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This is the second time in his career that Karaban has withdrawn his name from the NBA draft. He returned to the Huskies last season after attending the NBA combine in Chicago last May.
As noted by ESPN's Jonathan Givony, Karaban was projected as the No. 35 prospect in ESPN's NBA draft rankings.
Karaban has been a staple of UConn's starting lineup the last three seasons, as he has started all but one of his 111 collegiate games. The Southborough, Massachusetts native saw an uptick in his scoring this past season, as he became a prominent go-to scorer, especially when star freshman Liam McNeely was sidelined for a bit of the year.
Here's how UConn athletics' official X account responded to Karaban's announcement:
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An All-Big East Second Team selection in 2024-25, Karaban played a team-high 35.9 minutes per game while averaging 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. The addition of Karaban to the Huskies' 2025-26 roster is a big get for Hurley, who has also brought in Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. and Dayton guard Malachi Smith through the transfer portal.
UConn fell short of becoming the first team since UCLA to win three consecutive NCAA Tournaments this past season, as the Huskies were knocked out in the second round of March Madness by eventual national champion Florida.
The Huskies, who finished 24-11 overall last season, have two marquee nonconference games against Arizona and Texas already on their schedule for this upcoming year. UConn also announced on Tuesday that former Villanova assistant Mike Nardi has joined Hurley's staff in the same role.
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