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Connecticut

Alex Karaban announces return for final season at UConn

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•04/29/25•

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UConn's Alex Karaban
David Butler II | Imagn Images

Alex Karaban has been a key part of the success over the past three seasons at Connecticut. He’ll now be a part of it for one more year as a Husky.

Karaban announced his latest career decision with a post on social media on Tuesday. He will return to UConn for his fifth and final season of eligibility as a redshirt senior next year in Storrs.

“The last few years have been transformational for me as a person and player. I am forever grateful to my coaching staff, my brothers, the fans, and the community at UConn for all of the memories we’ve made together,” Karban wrote.

“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 a 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. Let’s run it back one last time!”

Karaban had, for the second consecutive offseason, entered his name to test for the NBA Draft. Like last year too, except much earlier this time, he withdrew his name as he was not on the early-entree list for teams on Tuesday. He pulled his name despite being in consideration to be a high selection in the second round, prior to any workouts or testing, of the 2025 NBA Draft in recent mocks this month from On3’s James Fletcher and at ESPN.

In 111 appearances, 110 of those being starts, the past three years, Karaban has averaged 12.2 points (46.9% FG, 37.5% 3PT on 1.9 makes), 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game for UConn. He was a piece that played a part in back-to-back national titles for Connecticut in the NCAA Tournaments in 2023 and 2024. He then became a bigger contributor in a career year this past season at 14.3 points (43.8% FG, 34.7% 3PT on 2.1 makes), 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game, which earned him a selection as All-Big East Second Team. However, he didn’t add any more titles this year as the Huskies didn’t win any in the conference before being eliminated by Florida, the eventual national champion, in the Round of 32 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Connecticut was already going to be a top team again next season under Dan Hurley based on their returning pieces, their pair of portal pickups so far for the backcourt, and their trio of incoming freshmen. They’ll now only be that much better with the return of Karaban for a fifth and final run with the Huskies.