Alex Karaban hints coming back

[giddyup]

Seeing AK play for another year would be a treat

 

[B1GEast]

We need him, Johnson and the freshman to be the building blocks of the next group.

 

[UConnRock]

He doesn’t. He made two 3s all season & shot it under 60% from the line. That’s what they know and project.

68% on FT in the last 16 games which were mostly high pressure games closing out the regular season, and in the tournaments. As he matures he will be a better than 75% FT shooter which is better than most centers. I would have been interesting if UConn needed his 3 point shot, but there was no reason for him to shoot from 3.

 

[lonsharkin51]

How sure is everyone that Clingan is gone? Danny, Luke, Kimani, Hassan and Alex are all talking about three-peating. Maybe establishing a true dynasty means more than an extra year of the NBA grind.

 

[Fan1978]

Would love him back but seriously...

I think Karaban should enter the draft. He's probably a second rounder but I don't think his stock will rise next year because he'll be 22 next year and that'll count against his draft stock (as dumb as that sounds, it's the truth). It's unfortunate that his shooting was inconsistent this year, but I think NBA teams will look past that as a fixable issue. He's proven in the past that he can make 3s. He can be a solid NBA role player.

I think he stay and get his degree. Another year will insure he is ready for a long nba career. Nil money should be good and second round is no guarantee.

 

[Fan1978]

How sure is everyone that Clingan is gone? Danny, Luke, Kimani and Alex are all talking about three-peating. Maybe establishing a true dynasty means more than an extra year of the NBA grind.

I agree, if they 3 peat he makes more by staying do to massive endorsement income

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I'd be more excited if he said "I'm halfway there", Hope he comes back to go for #3. He could be an All -American next year.

He is the furthest thing there is to an "I" type of player.

 

[UConn Esq]

Karaban and Clingan (especially) would still make a good buck if they stayed for another year. NIL helps offset the idea of chasing the NBA bag. Would Karaban rather be Sanogo in the G league or make plenty of money attempting an unprecedented three peat. Clingan would make even more money (than Karaban).

 

[brihman]

Outside of transferring to Duke all these guys can go wherever they want after leading us to 2 Nattys

 

[JakeTheDog]

UConn probably needs a couple of Brinks trucks to match offers if AK decides to enter the transfer portal. Potential 2 years of eligibility and UConn playbook in his head.

You don’t have to post stupid thoughts just because they popped into your head. Alex isn’t entering the portal lol

 

[Fatroony5]

Karaban and Clingan (especially) would still make a good buck if they stayed for another year. NIL helps offset the idea of chasing the NBA bag. Would Karaban rather be Sanogo in the G league or make plenty of money attempting an unprecedented three peat. Clingan would make even more money (than Karaban).

If Clingan was drafted 10 overall, he’d make like $5 million in salary next year alone. He’s not staying, nor making that in NIL here. He needs to go to the league.

 

[TheHorde]

I agree, if they 3 peat he makes more by staying do to massive endorsement income

He’s 20 and would be a guaranteed lottery pick. What happens if he stays and has a devastating injury? Also, if he leaves, he’d be able to get a second contract at age 25. As Calhoun always said, that’s where the real money is. If Hurley nudged Andre toward the draft a year ago, then you’d have to think he’d do the same with Donovan, only harder.

 

[87Xfer]

UConn probably needs a couple of Brinks trucks to match offers if AK decides to enter the transfer portal. Potential 2 years of eligibility and UConn playbook in his head.

Scary thought.

 

[UConn Esq]

If Clingan was drafted 10 overall, he’d make like $5 million in salary next year alone. He’s not staying, nor making that in NIL here. He needs to go to the league.

I said it helps offset. He can easily make 1M next year AND work towards an unprecedented, potentially legendary thing.

 

[DogMania]

AK is the type of player that might go in the second round this upcoming draft that might have first round talent 1 year from now if he returns and improves his game and consistency.

If he can improve his 3 point efficiency, show more of that attacking the rim like he did in the tournament, improve his passing and court vision, and improve his midrange game, he could play himself into the first round.

He has ridiculous range on his 3, something that the NBA likes to see. He moves well, but could also work hard in the weight room and agility to show some post scoring, which would be nice to add to his game, and help him develop a quicker first step to improve his on the ball D and holding his position in the post. I think all this is achievable for him. He's got the frame and solid athleticism for a player his size. He had 5 blocks and 7 assists in the last 3 games and 3 steals in the prior game.

He's the prototypical type of player who can show a significant jump in his junior season, taking on a more prominent role. But even if his role is the same next season, showing improvement in some of these areas can move him into the 1st round.

I believe in AK, and I'm sure Danny feels the same. If I were Danny, during my end of season player meeting, I'd spell out a few areas that he and the coaching staff will commit to helping him elevate his game to the next level. And ask him if he wants to commit to doing his part. Oh, and winning another BE and National championship.

 

[Fatroony5]

I said it helps offset. He can easily make 1M next year AND work towards an unprecedented, potentially legendary thing.

He’s going to be a lottery pick, he won back to back titles as a local kid, that’s legendary. Zero reason to come back for him and his professional career.

 

[Greedo]

THANK YOU SOMEBODY THAT UNDERSTANDS FINALLY!!!

Castle will go top 20
Newton will go 2nd rd(senior so he was gone)
Cam will go & probably go G-League like sanogo
Karaban is gonna be a 4yr UConn legend
Clingan will return for his junior year & work on his offense like sanogo jr yr he will start shooting 3 to be more likable in the nba he unlike sanogo clingan can do NIL so it’s no big rush or pressure for him to go pro

Clingan is going top 5 in the draft. There’s no becoming more likable to the NBA. He’s as liked as he’s going to get. He’ll improve his shot working with the best coaches in the world in the NBA.

 

[UConn Esq]

He’s going to be a lottery pick, he won back to back titles as a local kid, that’s legendary. Zero reason to come back for him and his professional career.

I can think of plenty.

 

[Fan1978]

If Clingan was drafted 10 overall, he’d make like $5 million in salary next year alone. He’s not staying, nor making that in NIL here. He needs to go to the league.

Again, if he stays and 3 peats he will make more endorsement money every year for 20 years to cover the 5 million. He is a likable could, could generate 5 million in nil easy. Paige gets a million from gatorade. How about jolly green giant.

Money will always be there, enjoying college experience is once

 

[Chief00]

Alex needs to come back and work on his 3 short and mid range game. His shooting slumped late and he has the capacity to leave with it as a strength.

 

[Fatroony5]

I can think of plenty.

You are living in la la land.

 

[Fatroony5]

Again, if he stays and 3 peats he will make more endorsement money every year for 20 years to cover the 5 million. He is a likable could, could generate 5 million in nil easy. Paige gets a million from gatorade. How about jolly green giant.

Money will always be there, enjoying college experience is once

He is a lottery pick, discussion basically ends there.

 

[UConn Esq]

You are living in la la land.

I think Clingan leaves, don’t get me wrong. But the idea that it’s all or nothing is a pretty dumb land to live in also.

 

[Fatroony5]

I think Clingan leaves, don’t get me wrong. But the idea that it’s all or nothing is a pretty dumb land to live in also.

He’s a lottery pick, as a big guy. It’s pretty all or nothing when you really do a breakdown of the actual money amounts in guarantees.

 

[UConnRock]

He is a lottery pick, discussion basically ends there.

You are talking generational wealth with a top 10 pick. Then if he gets a good 2nd contract it is multi-generational. Those local endorsement deals will be there for Clingan whenever he wants. He has done his job at UConn and will be a beloved CT figure forever. The risk of injury is way too high.

 

[WiseWillie]

When Alex was being recruited his mother was very insistent that he go to a school where he could play basketball but also receive an excellent education and particularly in engineering. Duke was one of the schools he was considering and his mother preferred Duke even though Alex wanted to come to UConn. So when he visited UConn, President Maric arranged for professors of the engineering school to be available for Alex and his parents to meet and tour the engineering department and discuss the excellent engineering programs offered at UConn. Not saying that was what got Alex to come to UConn, but if he is still interested as much now as he was then in receiving an excellent educational foundation before moving into the pros and that he will have with him after a pro career then it is completely understandable why he would stay to graduate. If so, lucky us.

 

[Chief00]

I said it helps offset. He can easily make 1M next year AND work towards an unprecedented, potentially legendary thing.

He would make far more than $1 million if he stayed. I am not saying Donovan should stay, just trying to establish what the choice is.

 

[nomar]

Would love him back but seriously...

I think Karaban should enter the draft. He's probably a second rounder but I don't think his stock will rise next year because he'll be 22 next year and that'll count against his draft stock (as dumb as that sounds, it's the truth). It's unfortunate that his shooting was inconsistent this year, but I think NBA teams will look past that as a fixable issue. He's proven in the past that he can make 3s. He can be a solid NBA role player.

I am more than willing to admit when somebody should declare. I don’t think he should. By coming back and rounding out his game, he can get himself a 1st round guarantee and, as importantly, put himself in a position to be in a rotation from Day 1.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Again, if he stays and 3 peats he will make more endorsement money every year for 20 years to cover the 5 million. He is a likable could, could generate 5 million in nil easy. Paige gets a million from gatorade. How about jolly green giant.

Money will always be there, enjoying college experience is once

I would wager that DC is still considering sticking around. I would also wager that Dan Hurley will push him very hard to the draft.

 

[WiseWillie]

You are talking generational wealth with a top 10 pick. Then if he gets a good 2nd contract it is multi-generational. Those local endorsement deals will be there for Clingan whenever he wants. He has done his job at UConn and will be a beloved CT figure forever. The risk of injury is way too high.

This thread was about Karaban who it appears most would agree that he should stay on to round out his game and boost his stats. If he wants to declare to test the water fine but he needs at least another year or two. As for Clingan he definitely should declare and will. He should also go near the top of the first round.