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Alex Karaban

Karaban in 2023
No. 11 – UConn Huskies
Position	Power forward / small forward
League	Big East Conference
Personal information
Born	(2002-11-11) November 11, 2002 (age 22)
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school	Algonquin Regional (Northborough, Massachusetts) New Hampton School (New Hampton, New Hampshire) IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
College	UConn (2022–present)
Career highlights and awards
2× NCAA champion (2023, 2024) Big East All-Freshman team (2023)

Alex Karaban (born November 11, 2002) is an American college basketball player for the UConn Huskies of the Big East Conference.

Early life and high school career

Karaban was born to Alexi and Olga Karaban, immigrants from Belarus and Ukraine respectively. He has two siblings, younger sister Ana and younger brother Andrew. He grew up in Southborough, Massachusetts, and initially attended Algonquin Regional High School. He transferred to the New Hampton School in New Hampton, New Hampshire after his freshman year. Karaban was named the New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 25.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game. After the end of the school year, he transferred a second time to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Karaban was rated a four-star recruit and committed to playing college basketball for UConn over offers from Stanford, Iowa, and Creighton.

College career

Karaban accelerated his graduation at IMG Academy and enrolled at UConn in January 2022. He practiced with the team for the rest of the 2021–2022 season and redshirted the year. Karaban was a unanimous selection to the Big East Conference's All-Freshman team at the end of his redshirt freshman season. He started the 2023 national championship game and scored five points with five rebounds and three blocked shots as the Huskies won 76–59.

Karaban entered his sophomore year on the watchlist for the Karl Malone Award. He scored a career-high 22 points in the Huskies' season-opener against Northern Arizona as UConn won 95–52. Karaban averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as UConn repeated as national champions. He initially declared for the 2024 NBA draft but ultimately decided to return for his redshirt junior season.

Karaban was one of the people that UConn coach Dan Hurley consulted when he was offered a head coaching job by the Los Angeles Lakers in June 2024.

Career statistics

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021–22	UConn	Redshirt
2022–23	UConn	39	38	28.9	.476	.402	.809	4.5	1.7	.5	.7	9.3
2023–24	UConn	39	39	31.4	.495	.379	.885	5.1	1.5	.9	.8	13.3
Career		78	77	30.2	.487	.389	.852	4.8	1.6	.7	.8	11.3

References

1. https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-connecticut-ncaa-tournament-17861149.php
2. https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-ncaa-nba-huskies-18396467.php
3. https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-ncaa-tournament-march-madness-boston-19371392.php
4. "'He is wise beyond his years for a freshman': Former Algonquin star Alex Karaban is playing key role at UConn". Telegram & Gazette. February 18, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
5. "Final Four 2023: Inside UConn standout Alex Karaban's journey from Massachusetts to the Final Four". The Boston Globe. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
6. "Change of scenery suits Northboro's Alex Karaban". Telegram & Gazette. January 14, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
7. Carroll, Charlotte (August 11, 2021). "Forward Alex Karaban sees 'unmatched' opportunity as he commits to UConn". The Athletic. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
8. Borzello, Jeff; Finkelstein, Adam (August 2, 2021). "UConn Huskies get commitment from forward Alex Karaban, No. 45 in 2022 class". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
9. Madigan, Dan (August 2, 2021). "Four-star forward Alex Karaban commits to UConn men's basketball". TheUConnBlog.com. SB Nation. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
10. "UConn recruit Alex Karaban enrolls early, joins men's basketball program". Hartford Courant. January 7, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
11. DeCourcy, Mike (April 3, 2023). "Redshirt freshman Alex Karaban has shot into position as UConn's 'unsung hero' on march to NCAA Championship game". Sporting News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
12. "UConn freshman Alex Karaban swears he's more athletic than he looks, and showed it in Thursday's Sweet 16". Hartford Courant. March 24, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
13. Bienick, David (April 3, 2023). "Massachusetts native starts for UConn in NCAA basketball title game". WCVB.com. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
14. "UConn men's basketball's Alex Karaban named to Karl Malone Award watch list". Hartford Courant. October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
15. Eaton-Robb, Pat (November 6, 2023). "No. 6 UConn unveils its 5th championship banner, routs Northern Arizona 95-52 in season opener". Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
16. "UConn forward Alex Karaban declares for NBA draft while retaining college eligibility". Yahoo Sports. Associated Press. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
17. Borzello, Jeff (May 29, 2024). "Alex Karaban to withdraw from NBA draft, return to UConn". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
18. Anthony, Mike (October 24, 2024). "UConn coach Dan Hurley wants Alex Karaban 'breathing fire' in pursuit of history, third championship". CTInsider.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.

External links

• UConn Huskies bio

• 2002 births
• Living people
• American men's basketball players
• Basketball players from Massachusetts
• IMG Academy alumni
• New Hampton School alumni
• People from Southborough, Massachusetts
• Small forwards
• UConn Huskies men's basketball players
• 21st-century American sportsmen