Alex Karaban is BACK

[ctbro1999]

3 out of 4 years with a Natty won't be bad, Alex!

 

[nadav]

Very Good news. So what do we do now?!

 

[UCann]

Awesome!!! Great to have him back. We are loaded for next year. And a chance for him to boost his stock. A win win.

 

[husky429]

This is the least climactic return to Storrs ever, lol. Glad to have him back though. We have a legit starting 5.

4/5 of the starting 5 is set, and it's a STRONG bunch. Now Stewart and Mullins can go kill each other in practice for the 5th spot.

 

[superjohn]

Very Good news. So what do we do now?!

Fight a Silverback.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

So is he officially a grad student ?

I mean, it'll be his 4th ("senior") season, but yea I do know he's technically finished his UG degree.

 

[Gutter King]

This is great. Staff has built the team so much better around him to maximize what he's great at. This really makes us a serious contender.

 

[InKembaITrust]

Safe to say he learned a lot as the team leader this past season. Should come in more comfortable in the role and poised to make a deeeeeep tourney run.

 

[DisabledVet]

Yes! He is chasing the rafters!!

Pencil it in

 

[navery12]

Very Good news. So what do we do now?!

Argue endlessly about what 3rd string C that will get 40 minutes all year we bring in

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Best possible outcome for us. I fully expect his shooting will return to normal and it’s hard to overstate the value of him both culturally as well as with his leadership and understanding of what Hurley wants to do offensively.

 

[dannyHAM]

Natty loading...

 

[Lafayette]

Great news and furthering the point that he is past his concussion issues - let's go!!!!

 

[Mr. French]

Lets go - great news, excited for this season!

 

[ucp990411]

Very Good news. So what do we do now?!

Find room at Gampel for banner # 7

 

[superjohn]

Best possible outcome for us. I fully expect his shooting will return to normal and it’s hard to overstate the value of him both culturally as well as with his leadership and understanding of what Hurley wants to do offensively.

Lack of point guard play and Liam's injury hurt AK the most. He simply isn't a #1 and trying to throw him into that role hurt AK and the team performance. With Solo, Silas, Tarris...AK can go back to his role of being a great connector, cutting to the rim, hitting open threes, doing all the little things.

 

[Dibbie]

Happy for UConn but sad for Alex, as not sure NBA is in his future. Win a 3rd ring, play some pro ball and come back to coach UConn in 10 years. Life is good!

 

[bendm]

Hilarious the mainstream media breaks the news before Alex/Storrs Central. the nba announced the final early entrant list before he did. Wonder if he declared Saturday night and then Changed his mind Sunday.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Great news, his experiences this past year will make for a really strong addition building mental toughness for the team. And of course he's someone who makes his teammates better on both sides of ball in addition to his offense & defensive contributions.

 

[PNolanFan]

Happy for UConn but sad for Alex, as not sure NBA is in his future. Win a 3rd ring, play some pro ball and come back to coach UConn in 10 years. Life is good!

I don’t feel sad for him honestly, I love Alex and believe that playing at UConn on the nil era should set him up in life where he shouldn’t need to worry too much about money

 

[ctbro1999]

Happy for UConn but sad for Alex, as not sure NBA is in his future. Win a 3rd ring, play some pro ball and come back to coach UConn in 10 years. Life is good!

He'll still get his shot to play in the NBA, but probably the thoughts of grinding in the G-league and possibly never even making it up to the Show next year weighed on him. When the other option is to stay at the place you love, have a chance to win another natty, and maybe even more more money via NIL.

Hopefully he has a strong senior season and some team will give him a guaranteed contract next year, even if he's still a 2nd round pick. If you are 6'8 and can shoot 40% from 3, you'll at least get a chance to prove yourself.

 

[ec33]

Argue endlessly about what 3rd string C that will get 40 minutes all year we bring in

Have you seen Reed and Reibe play defense? The 3rd string center is getting more than 40 minutes.

Closer to 40 minutes than 400 minutes if everyone stays healthy? Yes. But at some points in the season some of those minutes will be important (and we will all breathe deeply when those moments end).

 

[Hurleyman216]

Lack of point guard play and Liam's injury hurt AK the most. He simply isn't a #1 and trying to throw him into that role hurt AK and the team performance. With Solo, Silas, Tarris...AK can go back to his role of being a great connector, cutting to the rim, hitting open threes, doing all the little things.

Yeah, he's going to "do all the little things" and then all of the sudden you look up at the scoreboard in Gampel and he's got 22 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to go with his 2-3 blocks. This team is gonna be scary good. Defense will still be the biggest question.

 

[UCFan1513]

This is huge...

Sure, there are hypothetically more talented players out there. But no transfer has the intangibles, heart, or leadership potential like Karaban. I'll ride with him over any other transfer - I think he has the goods to make a major jump his senior year.

Winning Seniors, especially winning seniors who grew up in the program, are so rare. He has a chance to further solidify his legacy

 

[Jaydumo20]

It wouldn't have been the same.

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