The last two months have been busy for UConn stars Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr., all leading up to the NBA Draft, which is only just over two weeks away.
The Huskies’ frontcourt duo has been all over the country in recent weeks, visiting and working out for potential suitors. Both expect to hear their name called from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn at some point late in the first round on June 23 or early in the second round the next day.
Both Karaban and Reed stood out at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago last month, which helped their stock. Karaban was the best shooter across the board, making nearly 75% of his shots in the various workouts, while Reed showed the versatility and force he can bring to an NBA organization.
A number of different teams have had Karaban in for workouts, though UConn general manager Tom Moore named the Spurs, Kings and Celtics among those with the most mutual interest. The Spurs hosted the Huskies’ captain before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but he’s also been out in Sacramento and visited with his hometown Celtics.
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“Just a champion, a winner, a culture-setter. It sounds trite to go back to that whole setting a culture and establishing a culture, but geez, like, when you’re in a locker room with that kid and he is working as hard as he works on a day-in and day-out basis, you feel guilty if you’re not at least coming close to what he does,” Moore said at the UConn Coaches Road Show event last week.
“What Dan (Hurley) felt about Alex was that he sort of unlocked our offense. We were somewhat limited offensively with the way we wanted to play in terms of that four position until Alex got in and it just opened up the whole offense and sort of unlocked Dan’s ability to call a game and unlocked Luke (Murray’s) ability to help him. It just put us on such a trajectory. So he forever is an absolute legend in our eyes.”
Reed also visited with the Celtics about a month ago.
“I know he’s doing well,” Moore said. “I know he worked out for the Celtics right after they lost and Luke Murray was up there and went over and watched to support him, and talked to Brad Stevens afterward and Brad said very good things about him. So it’s an exciting time. These guys could go so many different places, it’s nerve-wracking, but you’re excited for the kids and their families.”
The Celtics could be eyeing a former Husky with the No. 27 overall pick, where Karaban is projected to be selected by USA Today. Boston also holds the No. 40 overall pick, where NBADraft.net sees Karaban being taken, though Yahoo! Sports projected him as the No. 31 overall selection, first in the second round, to the Knicks. Bleacher Report has Karaban going No. 34 overall to the Kings.
“NBA teams know Alex Karaban’s strengths, limitations and potential pro role after 151 college games and three Final Fours,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, who compared Karaban to Sam Hauser. “But to see him improve athletically, which this year’s combine tests show after weak results in 2024, has been deemed very encouraging. He could earn late first-round looks from teams that see an NBA-ready shooter, cutter and professional.”
There are also some first round projections for Reed, whose stock rose significantly after he led UConn back to the national championship game with a dominant run through the NCAA Tournament. He was projected at No. 29 overall to the Cavaliers by The Associated Press. Other projections have him coming off the board early on the second day, with both Bleacher Report and NBADraft.net projecting Reed as the No. 32 overall pick of the Grizzlies. Yahoo! Sports has him going one pick later, at No. 33 overall to the Nets.
“Reed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game,” wrote Yahoo!’s Kevin O’Connor. “He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher and rebounder and shot-blocker. But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he isn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. So there are questions about his upside, especially since he’ll be 23 as a rookie.
“For the Nets, though, adding a rock-solid center could simply help raise the floor of this team to make them more competent.”
