Karaban still weighing decision whether to return or go pro

[bendm]

NBA draft Early entry deadline is Saturday*; so shall be the Decision. If we can take Alex at his word then if he declares he’s gone, no testing the waters. If he declares Hopefully there’s still time to go all in on Miller. If not staff needs to spend the spring scouting Europeans. At least it’s lovely over there this time of year.

 

[djct1999]

They might have a plan…but the options are changing.

If they knew he was leaving last week there would be more options to replace him.

Says you. If he leaves it opens up a lot nil money. It’s always fluid. Kids withdrawing from draft, kids still entering the portal of a coach leaves. It’s not the end of the world. Maybe there is no movement because the staff is being patient and the player they are targeting is t quite available yet.

 

[3rdbass]

NBA draft Early entry deadline is tomorrow; so shall be the Decision. If we can take Alex at his word then if he declares he’s gone, no testing the waters. If he declares Hopefully there’s still time to go all in on Miller. If not staff needs to spend the spring scouting Europeans. I hear it’s lovely over there this time of year.

It is actually the 26th which is Saturday.

The NBA Early Entry Deadline for the 2025 draft is April 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. This is the deadline for players who are not automatically eligible to declare their intention to enter the draft. Players have until June 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET to withdraw their names from the draft pool and retain their college eligibility.

 

[Horatio]

There’s a point at which Alex’s indecision will affect UConn’s ability to replace him and we’re probably pretty close to that point.

If a kid can put pen to paper at another school and we’re still telling him to hold on, that will be a problem and we’re there with a couple of recruits.

I’m glad you said it. And this is the second year with him.

 

[nomar]

Let's hope that the staff has 1 or more guys lined up that they can secure if Alex goes pro.

They also might be looking at Europe, if Underwood hasn't signed all the Euros already.

 

[NJHusky]

Says you. If he leaves it opens up a lot nil money. It’s always fluid. Kids withdrawing from draft, kids still entering the portal of a coach leaves. It’s not the end of the world. Maybe there is no movement because the staff is being patient and the player they are targeting is t quite available yet.

Portal is closed, so kids withdrawing need to be in portal already. kids have changed teams already. If he announced 2 weeks ago that NIL money and PT would have been available then.

There is no way dragging this out is better for UConn
Someone who is a lead player prob didn’t consider us since they don’t know if Alex is back. It’s really not that complicated but thankfully will come to a close in 2 days, at 11:59.

 

[superjohn]

Let's hope that the staff has 1 or more guys lined up that they can secure if Alex goes pro.

They also might be looking at Europe, if Underwood hasn't signed all the Euros already.

Brad is out scouting on the coast of Ireland.

 

[Kemba15]

We don't know what we missed out on or if we missed out at all until he announces his decision. What we do know is any big time starting level 4 isn't committing here until they know what the guy who averages 36 minutes per game is going to do. He's pulling an Aaron Rodgers.

If he comes back, great. If he leaves and is replaced with a big time replacement from the portal, great. If he doesn't come back and we just get a depth piece, not good at all.

Do we know for certain that if the staff really liked a forward in the portal they wouldn't have told Alex to make a decision? We aren't privy to a lot going on behind the scenes.

 

[superjohn]

Illinois basketball under Brad...

 

[Husky Alien]

This idea that Alex has put UConn in a bind is ludicrous. I am sure he is transparent w his intentions and the staff is well equipped. It’s not like any of this is coming out of left field and blind sighting them.

 

[Fatroony5]

Illinois basketball under Brad...

View attachment 109027

I’m fascinated to see how it all works out, but I think he’s onto something. So many good foreign players out there, feels like an untapped market if you can find the right pieces.

 

[Inyatkin]

Let's hope that the staff has 1 or more guys lined up that they can secure if Alex goes pro.

They also might be looking at Europe, if Underwood hasn't signed all the Euros already.

If your name ends in -ic, you might be an Illini.

 

[Deleted at users request]

If your name ends in -ic, you might be an Illini.

Fighting Illinics

 

[superjohn]

If your name ends in -ic, you might be an Illini.

 

[DogMania]

This idea that Alex has put UConn in a bind is ludicrous. I am sure he is transparent w his intentions and the staff is well equipped. It’s not like any of this is coming out of left field and blind sighting them.

It's never been an issue of transparency. It's an issue of uncertainty and timing.

No matter how you dissect it, the staff's hands remain tied as far as bringing the PF/C they would like to replace AK with. No starter or even first reserve off the bench portal candidate will want to commit to UConn until they know that Karaban is not returning. And I assume there's not enough NIL available till they know for sure Alex isn't returning.

People can try as much as they want to paint this as a non-issue for the program, but that's not the case. We're probably okay as long as there is at least one good option the staff likes who wants to come here. Once all have chosen their destination, the program will be left with no good options other than some player who is fine sitting on the bench and likely not good enough to earn many minutes.

I'm still hopeful, but like many, am frustrated that Alex has yet to decide. I love the guy and wish him the best. Just hope he makes his intentions known before the replacement options run dry.

 

[bendm]

I’m fascinated to see how it all works out, but I think he’s onto something. So many good foreign players out there, feels like an untapped market if you can find the right pieces.

If im a good European player why would i choose to come play for a college in the US where i cant make NIL when I could be getting paid to play professionally at home and then still get drafted into the nba? What’s in it for these guys?

 

[superjohn]

If im a good European player why would i choose to come play for a college in the US where i cant make NIL when I could be getting paid to play professionally at home and then still get drafted into the nba? What’s in it for these guys?

They make NIL money, some of them make a ton of NIL money.

 

[navery12]

If im a good European player why would i choose to come play for a college in the US where i cant make NIL when I could be getting paid to play professionally at home and then still get drafted into the nba? What’s in it for these guys?

Their NIL deals are significantly bigger than their pro contracts overseas

 

[Fatroony5]

If im a good European player why would i choose to come play for a college in the US where i cant make NIL when I could be getting paid to play professionally at home and then still get drafted into the nba? What’s in it for these guys?

Because most of them aren’t getting drafted into the NBA, there’s only a handful of guys per year internationally that get drafted. They are getting paid NIL as well and make a lot of money. These players have agents making deals for them.

 

[bendm]

Is the ability of internationals to make NiL new? I thought sanogo had to take a trip to the Bahamas or something to get paid, or is that what all of them are doing? Do they take one international trip and collect all their NIl at once? No idea

 

[Captbluefin]

If im a good European player why would i choose to come play for a college in the US where i cant make NIL when I could be getting paid to play professionally at home and then still get drafted into the nba? What’s in it for these guys?

Women… college aged women… parties… play ball.., make 500k-1 million

That’s what’s in it my man..

 

[VanDunk]

Alex is definitely coming back. I don’t see any reason why this wouldn’t happen.

 

[aceboon]

If im a good European player why would i choose to come play for a college in the US where i cant make NIL when I could be getting paid to play professionally at home and then still get drafted into the nba? What’s in it for these guys?

at this point I don't know why you guys still think they aren't getting paid. this has been covered to death by people who exclusively cover Euro hoops, these guys are getting paid more than they are by their Euro clubs to come over to the states.

 

[Fatroony5]

Hopefully Alex is back, but let’s all respect the fact that no matter what you post, bj42 is there to give you a like.

 

[Zonepress]

at this point I don't know why you guys still think they aren't getting paid. this has been covered to death by people who exclusively cover Euro hoops, these guys are getting paid more than they are by their Euro clubs to come over to the states.

how dare you try to bring facts to this. forum!’
lol