Alex Karaban twice opted to withdraw from the NBA draft in 2024 and 2025 and return to UConn, where he put the finishing touches on his storied career this spring.
The Southboro native this time around saw the pre-draft process through to the end and it will culminate in Karaban seeing the fruits of his labor when he hears his name called either Tuesday or Wednesday night in the NBA draft.
“It’s going to be super exciting,” Karaban told the Herald. “All the work, all the sacrifices, just all the hours, days, months, whatever it is, just all that time built up to reach my dream of playing in the NBA. It’s going to be special. It’s not just me, but it’s kind of a celebration of everyone within my circle that helped me get to this point.”
Most NBA draft pundits project Karaban to be selected either late in the first round or early in the second round.
Karaban’s 6-foot-7 frame and shooting marksmanship make him an ideal fit in the modern NBA, where 3-point shooting is valued more than ever. Karaban certainly checks that box, having shot 37.4% from beyond the arc in his college career and his 292 made triples are a UConn record. A redshirt senior with the Huskies this past season, Karaban averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
But just like every prospect in the draft, his on-court ability has been picked apart. While Karaban can space the floor and make the opposition pay as a strong catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter, evaluators are quick to point out Karaban’s inability to create his own shot, his lack of elite athleticism or his defensive inefficiencies that might make it difficult for him to stay on an NBA court.
But those flaws never stopped Karaban from producing, and more importantly, winning at UConn. It is usually difficult to quantify a player’s winning quotient, but not in Karaban’s case.
In a program that saw Ray Allen, Emeka Okafor and Kemba Walker make their mark, it was Karaban who finished as UConn’s all-time leader in wins with 126, with two of those victories helping deliver national titles to the Huskies. He also set the program record for games played (151) and starts (150).
“At the end of the day, everyone’s in the NBA and in the business to win,” Karaban said. “Our whole goal is to win championships. I mean, I’m the best winner in this draft class, just what I’ve done in my college career.”
Karaban’s impact certainly isn’t lost on UConn head coach Dan Hurley, who implored teams to not pass up on the 23-year-old.
“Obviously a lot of teams value just the pedigree, the skill set. I think such a big thing in the NBA is your ability to have role guys that can play off of two really ball-dominant players, and Alex has shown an expertise to be an all-NBA role player. An ability to space the court, make shots, get on the glass, good cutter, underrated defensive player,” Hurley told the Hartford Courant. “I mean, if I’m a team in the 20s and I’ve got a choice between maybe a moderately more talented player that has questionable makeup in terms of building a championship or a winning organization, just how do you pass on Karaban in the 20s.
“You have the chance to bring a grown-up, professional, championship-level player, a Cam Spencer-type of guy who’s 6-foot-8, into your organization. If you’re picking in the late first round, how do you not pick him?”
It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Karaban could bring his winning ways to the Big Apple as the New York Knicks, fresh off winning their first NBA title in 53 years, are viewed as a destination for Karaban either at No. 24 overall or with the first pick in the second round.
The Sacramento Kings are also viewed as a landing spot for Karaban as they hold the No. 34 pick in the draft.
And there’s also the chance for Karaban to get drafted by his hometown Boston Celtics, who own the No. 27 pick. Karaban went through a pre-draft workout with the Celtics and had conversations with president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Karaban, who already draws comparisons to Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser, seems like a logical fit for Boston. And Karaban didn’t tell Stevens or Mazzulla this, but he’s also undefeated on the TD Garden parquet when playing there in high school and college, including winning an Elite Eight contest over Illinois in 2024.
While Karaban said he would be happy to get drafted anywhere, he can’t hide the fact that getting picked by the Celtics would come with more significance.
“It would be cool,” Karaban said. “I grew up watching a bunch of Celtics games. I went to a bunch of Celtics games as a kid. If I have the honor of wearing that jersey, it would mean a lot to me.”
Karaban will take in the draft not far from the Garden in Worcester, which also isn’t far from his hometown. He plans to be surrounded by family, friends and UConn coaches to help him bask in the moment, whether that comes Tuesday or when the second round commences Wednesday.
It will be a cause for celebration whenever his name gets called, though, but Karaban won’t let the party go on for long.
He said he’ll give himself a day, perhaps two, to live up this long-awaited occasion. But after that, he’ll turn his attention to the job at hand as he aims to carve out a long and successful NBA career.
“Whenever I step foot in that facility, just knowing that the NBA is a business and they picked me for a reason, and just proving to that organization they made the right choice,” Karaban said.
