Alex Karaban
.jpg) Karaban in 2023 | |
| No. 11 – UConn Huskies | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward / small forward |
| League | Big East Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | November 11, 2002 |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | |
| College | UConn (2022–present) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Alex Karaban (born November 11, 2002) is an American college basketball player for the UConn Huskies of the Big East Conference.
Early life and high school career
[edit]Karaban was born to Alexi and Olga Karaban, immigrants from Belarus and Ukraine respectively.[1][2] He has two siblings, younger sister Ana and younger brother Andrew.[3] He grew up in Northborough and Southborough, Massachusetts, and initially attended Algonquin Regional High School.[4][5] He transferred to the New Hampton School in New Hampton, New Hampshire after his freshman year.[6] Karaban was named the New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 25.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game.[7] After the end of the school year, he transferred a second time to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Karaban was rated a four-star recruit and committed to playing college basketball for UConn over offers from Stanford, Iowa, and Creighton.[8][9]
College career
[edit]Karaban accelerated his graduation at IMG Academy and enrolled at UConn in January 2022.[10] He practiced with the team for the rest of the 2021–2022 season and redshirted the year.[11] Karaban was a unanimous selection to the Big East Conference's All-Freshman team at the end of his redshirt freshman season.[12] He started the 2023 national championship game and scored five points with five rebounds and three blocked shots as the Huskies won 76–59.[13]
Karaban entered his sophomore year on the watchlist for the Karl Malone Award.[14] He scored a career-high 22 points in the Huskies' season-opener against Northern Arizona as UConn won 95–52.[15] Karaban averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as UConn repeated as national champions.[16] He initially declared for the 2024 NBA draft but ultimately decided to return for his redshirt junior season,[17] as UConn attempts to become the first men's team since UCLA in 1973 to win three consecutive NCAA Division I titles.[18]
Karaban was one of the people that UConn coach Dan Hurley consulted when he was offered a head coaching job by the Los Angeles Lakers in June 2024.[18]
Career statistics
[edit]| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | UConn |  Redshirt | ||||||||||
| 2022–23 | UConn | 39 | 38 | 28.9 | .476 | .402 | .809 | 4.5 | 1.7 | .5 | .7 | 9.3 |
| 2023–24 | UConn | 39 | 39 | 31.4 | .495 | .379 | .885 | 5.1 | 1.5 | .9 | .8 | 13.3 |
| Career | 78 | 77 | 30.2 | .487 | .389 | .852 | 4.8 | 1.6 | .7 | .8 | 11.3 | |
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-connecticut-ncaa-tournament-17861149.php
- ^ https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-ncaa-nba-huskies-18396467.php
- ^ https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-ncaa-tournament-march-madness-boston-19371392.php
- ^ "'He is wise beyond his years for a freshman': Former Algonquin star Alex Karaban is playing key role at UConn". Telegram & Gazette. February 18, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "Final Four 2023: Inside UConn standout Alex Karaban's journey from Massachusetts to the Final Four". The Boston Globe. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "Change of scenery suits Northboro's Alex Karaban". Telegram & Gazette. January 14, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Carroll, Charlotte (August 11, 2021). "Forward Alex Karaban sees 'unmatched' opportunity as he commits to UConn". The Athletic. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Borzello, Jeff; Finkelstein, Adam (August 2, 2021). "UConn Huskies get commitment from forward Alex Karaban, No. 45 in 2022 class". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Madigan, Dan (August 2, 2021). "Four-star forward Alex Karaban commits to UConn men's basketball". TheUConnBlog.com. SB Nation. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "UConn recruit Alex Karaban enrolls early, joins men's basketball program". Hartford Courant. January 7, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ DeCourcy, Mike (April 3, 2023). "Redshirt freshman Alex Karaban has shot into position as UConn's 'unsung hero' on march to NCAA Championship game". Sporting News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "UConn freshman Alex Karaban swears he's more athletic than he looks, and showed it in Thursday's Sweet 16". Hartford Courant. March 24, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Bienick, David (April 3, 2023). "Massachusetts native starts for UConn in NCAA basketball title game". WCVB.com. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "UConn men's basketball's Alex Karaban named to Karl Malone Award watch list". Hartford Courant. October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Eaton-Robb, Pat (November 6, 2023). "No. 6 UConn unveils its 5th championship banner, routs Northern Arizona 95-52 in season opener". Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "UConn forward Alex Karaban declares for NBA draft while retaining college eligibility". Yahoo Sports. Associated Press. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Borzello, Jeff (May 29, 2024). "Alex Karaban to withdraw from NBA draft, return to UConn". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ a b Anthony, Mike (October 24, 2024). "UConn coach Dan Hurley wants Alex Karaban 'breathing fire' in pursuit of history, third championship". CTInsider.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.