The UConn Huskies won their second consecutive NCAA Championship this year, defeating Purdue in the title game. Just as the case was in 2023, Dan Hurley had his work cut out for him replacing all of the talent that was departing. However, he received some excellent news with Alex Karaban coming back to the program.

Karaban is the only returning starter from the 2023-24 UConn Huskies program. Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan are both remaining in the 2024 NBA Draft as projected lottery picks. The eligibility of Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer has been exhausted, as all five players were invited to the 2024 NBA Combine.

Alex Karaban was almost certainly going to get selected but was a borderline first-round pick. He would have needed to perform well in pre-draft workouts to sneak into the first round and land a guaranteed contract.

Instead of risking it, he has opted to return to school. With the deadline being 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, he shared the official announcement with a simple message on X, formerly known as Twitter.

His return to Storrs likely will have UConn inside the top five of the early rankings. A 6’9” forward, Alex Karaban is a key part of Hurley’s game plan on both ends of the court. Last season, he averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, up from 9.3 and 4.5 as a freshman.

It is fair to expect his numbers to increase as a junior. He will be relied upon as a go-to option for the Huskies as the most experienced player returning to the program. Rotation players Samson Johnson, Hassan Diarra, Solomon Ball and Jaylin Stewart are also returning. They will be joined by transfers Aidan Mahaney and Tarris Reed and top-10 prospect Liam McNeeley.

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