If Karaban leads UConn to the threepeat, is he considered the greatest Husky of all time?

[Shoulder god]

AK will be looked at as a legendary player if he leads us to another Chip for sure, but certainly not the best to have worn the jersey and arguably not in the Top 10. Most of us would pick between Ray, Rip, Caron, Donyell, Kemba and Omeka for our Mt Rushmore. Some might even consider Shabazz, Khalid, Scott Burrell and Ben Gordon in that list. Bottom line, a perfect piece for a Hurley team, but certainly not the greatest.

 

[mets1090]

As always it's two different conversations.

Best player in terms of individual talent, who you would pick first overall in a fantasy draft type thing? Can't imagine he comes close to being as good as Ray, but hey anything is possible I guess.

On a Mount Rushmore in terms of career achievements, legacy, etc? No question he would be in the top 4 if he is the best player on this team en route to 3 in a row. You'd be insane not to think so. Build the kid a statue if he's an All American and wins 3 titles.

 

[Dabutlerdidit]

Definitely Rushmore.

 

[HooperScooper]

Don't tell me Mike Anthony doesn't read the Boneyard. I wonder what his handle is on here and does he post?

Karaban is not the most gifted player to come through Storrs. Ray Allen and Kemba Walker and Donyell Marshall laced up their shoes at Gampel Pavilion. He doesn’t have the NBA potential of Emeka Okafor or Richard Hamilton. He doesn’t dominate games the in the way of teammates like Jordan Hawkins or Adama Sanogo, nor has he piled up individual accolades like Tristen Newton.

But he can become the most successful, the most accomplished, the very best player in UConn history in the context of what a member of a team contributed over time to the evolution of a program now clearly on a level all to its own.

Can Alex Karaban go down as the greatest player in UConn men's basketball history?

Alex Karaban will return to Dan Hurley and the Huskies, seeking a third national championship with a chance to become a legendary UConn player.

www.nhregister.com

Alternate access:

Can Alex Karaban go down as the greatest player in UConn men's basketball history?​

 

[bellairehusky]

People usually forget about Uncle Cliffy, who started it all by winning the NIT and should be right up there with Ray Allen. 19 years and top 50 all time scorer in the NBA. RIP Cliff.

 

[CL82]

If there's one player who I wish won a title it's CV

Ray Allen?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Love AK but Kemba is the greatest Husky of all time. AK can win 4 chips and it's still Kemba.

Post/Handle

 

[DogMania]

No! Being a contributor on 3 teams that win 3 in a row doesn't make said player the Goat. If that player was the best player on all or maybe even 2 of the 3, maybe.

With that said, AK returning and contributing to a 3-Peat would definitely make him one of the favorite Huskies ever in the eyes of many.

Imagine if one of us were a small role or bench player on all three teams. Would that even put us in the conversation of being a top UConn player? Of course not! There are a number of marginal or just good players in the various Sports who happen to be on a lot of championship teams, while there are some all-time greats that never had a chance to be on a championship team. That never elevates that role player to Greater status than a player who has a resume as one of the top ones during their time.

 

[temery]

No! Being a contributor on 3 teams that win 3 in a row doesn't make said player the Goat. If that player was the best player on all or maybe even 2 of the 3, maybe.

With that said, AK returning and contributing to a 3-Peat would definitely make him one of the favorite Huskies ever in the eyes of many.

Imagine if one of us were a small role or bench player on all three teams. Would that even put us in the conversation of being a top UConn player? Of course not! There are a number of marginal or just good players in the various Sports who happen to be on a lot of championship teams, while there are some all-time greats that never had a chance to be on a championship team. That never elevates that role player to Greater status than a player who has a resume as one of the top ones during their time.

I doubt we'll ever see a potential goat win multiple championships. If they're that good, they won't stick around more than a year or two.

 

[uchusky32]

Rip crack the nut. All American. Really good to great pro career.

Karaban, though, would have 3 rings. And Alll American. Gosh.

Good to be us.

 

[cohenzone]

Kemba Walker is considered a Mt. Rushmore type for 1 title in 3 seasons. Though his junior year was as good a season as we have ever seen. Unlikely but if Karaban replicates that feat, then sure, why not?!

Cuz he is more of a role player, a very good one. He would be the player with most titles, but that doesn’t make him the greatest. I think there are a whole bunch of players greater than Alex. And we are so far ahead of ourselves talking about 3 peats.

 

[cohenzone]

The poster is talking about accomplishments for the program, not individual talent or personal career accomplishments.

Maybe. But winning s championship is a team thing and there is a stronger case for Newton if you want to look at the number of championships plus personal impact.

 

[Fore!]

Just counting college basketball, not NBA or anything. Would Karaban being the best player on this team and leading us to the threepeat make him the best Husky of all time?

Not even close

 

[djct1999]

Alex is the consummate glue guy on the floor who is like a second coach. His role this year will be invaluable to Hurley and this team. He has played a pivotal role in both titles even if his stats don’t suggest it. He doesn’t have to be the best player in UConn history, he will always be remembered for his contributions. If they win 3 in a row, he will be a legend in his own right.

 

[UofCT]

Just counting college basketball, not NBA or anything. Would Karaban being the best player on this team and leading us to the threepeat make him the best Husky of all time?

100% yes

 

[temery]

The poster is talking about accomplishments for the program, not individual talent or personal career accomplishments.

Doubtful.

 

[AdamaNation]

View attachment 101105

0 rings

 

[AdamaNation]

100% yes

He’d at least be the single most important player in UConn history

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Greatest in accomplishments yes that’s a whole different category
I believe he and Newton are the only two players that were starters on two NC teams
so a third breaks the tie . Those are amazing achievements.
Greatest Player no if he was he would already be in the NBA
Ray’s the greatest until someone has a better career and makes the HOF .
Maybe Castle , Maybe Clingan
if Clingan emerges as a NBA superstar plus two rings then that’s a great claim to GOAT

 

[Bomber36]

Yeah, I mean. He's not the best. That's probably Ray Allen or Kemba.

But I think if he leads the team to the championship, he's the greatest.

Not the greatest player, but the player who contributed the most to three great teams. Maybe the greatest team player to ever play at UConn.

 

[Scottobot]

Depends on how you define best or greatest. If your definition of best is the guy who started on the most championship teams, Karaban would be it.

other peoplle will define greatest as most dominant player, player with most points, assists, rebounds, etc. Player with most clutch game winning baskets…
There are 10 or 15 former players that were about as good as a college player can be at UConn.

Karaban has already earned a spot in the UConn legends list in my opinion, but I wouldn’t call him the greatest player of all time.

I don’t like calling any of the players the greatest because it takes something away from the other candidates for greatest. Kemba, Allen, Okafor, Hamilton were all so great. I don’t want to rank them.

 

[visitor123]

I'm fairly certain the greatest Husky of all time is Jim Calhoun.

 

[UofCT]

We are in the rings business now. Alex, if he gets a third while having great individual success this season (all American, big east POY, etc) he would be the new #1. He would have accomplished more in college than anyone else in the last 50 years.

Still a long shot but rooting for Alex to take the crown.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Cuz he is more of a role player, a very good one. He would be the player with most titles, but that doesn’t make him the greatest. I think there are a whole bunch of players greater than Alex. And we are so far ahead of ourselves talking about 3 peats.

I said it’s if he has a season similar to kembas junior year next year. Or even half similar lol

 

[McLovin]

Love AK but Kemba is the greatest Husky of all time. AK can win 4 chips and it's still Kemba.

Post / handle. Checks out. (It’s Kemba IMO too).