UConn’s Karaban entering NBA Draft while keeping college eligibility
Alex Karaban has decided to chase his NBA dream — but hasn’t ruled out a return to the UConn men’s basketball team.
Karaban announced on social media late Thursday afternoon that he will enter the 2024 NBA Draft. However, he will retain his college eligibility.
Karaban will have the chance to work out for NBA teams over the next couple of months. He must decide by June 16 at 5 p.m. whether to remain in the draft or return to college.
“Thank you to all my family and friends for all the countless sacrifices and constant support throughout my career — especially during the ups and downs,” Karaban said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Thank you Coach Hurley, Coach Kimani, Coach Murray and Coach Moore for your belief in me and giving me the oppportunity to play at UConn. You guys have pushed me not only to be a better player, but also have helped me become a better man. My experience here has exceeded my expectations and I am blessed to be a part of back-to-back national championships.”
Karaban arrived at UConn after leaving IMG Academy early in January, 2022, but sat out the remainder of the Huskies’ season as a redshirt. As a redshirt freshman, Karaban started 38 of UConn’s 39 games and averaged 9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 40-percent from 3-point range and helping the Huskies to the program’s fifth national championship.
This season, as a redshirt sophomore, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 37.9 percent from 3. He went through a few cold shooting streaks, including during the NCAA Tournament, but made up for it with his overall leadership, on-court intelligence, rebounding, passing and defense.
“Lastly, thank you to UConn Nation,” Karaban, a Southborough, Massachusetts product, continued in his post. “You have always been there for me and
are the best fans in the country. After many conversations, I am beyond excited to chase my NBA dream and enter the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility.”
Karaban is seen as somewhat of a draft tweener: possibly a late-first round selection, more likely a second-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Either way, he could land a guaranteed contract if he remains in the draft. This year’s draft is considered somewhat of a weak one, which may spur Karaban’s decision.
If Karaban returns to UConn, he would be the top player on a young team that will be looking for the sport’s first “threepeat” since the John Wooden/Bill Walton UCLA teams of 1971-73. However, he would also be a redshirt junior by the time of the 2025 draft, which could be held against him by organizations who tend to draft youth and potential.
If he leaves UConn, however, the Huskies will likely have lost their entire starting five. Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer have exhausted their college eligibility, Donovan Clingan has declared for the NBA Draft as a likely lottery pick, and Stephon Castle (also a likely lottery pick) seems destined to soon make the same decision as Clingan.