Karaban Love Fest Thread | Page 2 | The Boneyard
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Karaban Love Fest Thread

3 slices that haven't been mentioned yet:

(1) I loved Alex's highlight reel when he was being recruited out of New Hampton. He was workman-like, shooting from the outside, going to the hoop, and moving the ball to his teammates.

Adjusting for him being 17 at the time, he showed himself as possessing the same essential bundle of skills that he has displayed & grown throughout his UConn career. What we saw was what we got, beginning in his freshman year, when he was a surprise starter after Samson was injured.

(2) Notwithstanding how crazed we fans were about inbounding the ball as recently as 10 days ago, such plays were also troublesome in March 2023. The coaches settled on freshman Alex to inbound the ball, and he was calm, confident, and competent in the role.

(3) The Connecticut Scoreboard podcast episodes in which @gwhuskyfan
(Jared Kotler) has interviewed Alex across 4 seasons has been a low-fi must-watch delight for me throughout its run, just two earnest guys talking UConn basketball life without any undue airs or pretense. Asked about big plans for some time off, Alex would say he was going home to be with family & friends. A big meal? Steak.

When the Boneyard was anxious from the January swoon through going into the 2023 NC Tourney after two years of first game losses, Alex was unassuming, and soberly confident in the coaching staff, and the team's readiness to face Pitino's Iona team. I believed Alex and it served as my bedrock in relentlessly pushing for the Huskies' success. He wasn't worried; why should I be?

Grateful for this thread being posted in advance of a noontime start. Thanks to @Deepster for this.
 
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Perhaps the most dedicated student-athlete UConn MBB has had since Emeka. Perfect Program fit that maximized his talents perfectly for the role he had on the team(s). Put his personal professional goals on the back burner for the organizational benefit of the Program. Still has games left to add to his legacy.

Classy kid. Great future in front of him on and off the court. Wish him well.
 
Tyler2Rings said:
I think my best memories of AK (so far!) are from his freshman year when he hit multiple threes at the end of the half. I was never so confident in a 3 going down as I was with this one:

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I remember that shot vividly not only because the sequence with AJax and pass was amazing, but also because I had a sizable bet on UConn over 36.5 pts for the 1st half in that game. As soon as it left his hands, it was money in more ways than one!
 
There are too many to list, but the first one that came to mind was Texas at MSG in the 23-24 season. He was doing it all - normal threes, deep threes, rebounding, defending, passing, and single handedly buried them with 3 clutch shots deep in the shot clock

Bring us home AK! He was a huge part of 2 championship runs. Let's make it 3.

 
Pride of NH (okay fine he only played one season here). A guy cut from the Emeka cloth where he keeps the student in student athlete. Going from a Hurley described “quiet weirdo” to a leader. The glue on the 23 team, the sniper on 24. Could have left after 24, and 25. Just the best ambassador to this program and a guy who will go down as one of the top 10 most important UConn players ever.
Well probably never know the injuries he fought through this year to play every game, and he’s been subject to undue criticism from myself for having off games, but you’d be hard pressed to find a single player who bleeds blue more than this guy
 
MJKI said:
Pride of NH (okay fine he only played one season here). A guy cut from the Emeka cloth where he keeps the student in student athlete. Going from a Hurley described “quiet weirdo” to a leader. The glue on the 23 team, the sniper on 24. Could have left after 24, and 25. Just the best ambassador to this program and a guy who will go down as one of the top 10 most important UConn players ever.
Well probably never know the injuries he fought through this year to play every game, and he’s been subject to undue criticism from myself for having off games, but you’d be hard pressed to find a single player who bleeds blue more than this guy
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That's a pretty great run down. I had a much longer post but you stated it better in a more concise manner. He's the glue. He's not one of our best players of all-time but he's one of the best Huskies of all time. It only really makes sense to us diehards.
 
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GampelGladiator said:
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I like the beard foreshadowing here. I guess it was destiny.
IMG_6593.jpeg
 
JustbrewitMan said:
I remember that shot vividly not only because the sequence with AJax and pass was amazing, but also because I had a sizable bet on UConn over 36.5 pts for the 1st half in that game. As soon as it left his hands, it was money in more ways than one!
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Ajax’s read of the developing trap and his anticipation that Alex would be open if he could get the ball to him, plus how quickly he ran from where he was in the corner to get it and pass it to Alex, is one of the greatest plays I’ve ever seen in basketball! I still don’t know how Ajax could see the entire picture and execute it no matter how many times I watch it
 
IMG’s finest.

Always clutch and a great leader, he’s the most accomplished Husky in all the winning categories.

We appreciate every second of your journey, AK!
 
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HW611 said:


Looks like he might have something special for tonight.
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Totally and completely deserved.

He has meant so much to this program since stepping on campus.

Once again, when you consider not only the great basketball players but also the special young men who have played for this program and donned the UConn jersey over the last 40 years, we have been truly blessed as a fan base.

Thank you Alex... for everything! You deserve every accolade you receive!
 
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