John Fanta
School Basketball Broadcaster and Reporter
Two-time nationwide champion Alex Karaban needs yet another shot at reaching the mountaintop in Storrs.
The UConn star introduced Tuesday morning that he’s working it again for his senior season, a uncommon scenario in modern-day faculty basketball for a participant to remain at his faculty for all 4 years of his profession.
Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley has at all times stated Karaban is the right match for his program, so if there was a man to make this transfer, the 6-foot-8 Massachusetts native is the poster boy for it. Averaging 14.3 factors, 5.3 rebounds and a couple of.8 assists per recreation this previous yr, Karaban earned second-team All-Massive East honors. This return is an indication of the advantages of NIL, with Karaban with the ability to earn seven figures throughout his senior yr of faculty, versus going the professional route the place he would seemingly be within the G League subsequent season.
That is huge information for UConn, which can be a top-10 staff in my FOX Sports activities Preseason Prime 25 rankings. The Huskies return Solo Ball, Tarris Reed and Jaylen Stewart, whereas additionally ushering within the nation’s ninth-ranked recruiting class, headlined by Georgia switch Silas Demary and five-star guard Braylon Mullins.
Karaban will look to capitalize on some unfinished enterprise after the Huskies fell within the first weekend of this previous yr’s NCAA Event and have been knocked out within the Massive East Event semifinals.
“I delight myself on accepting challenges and holding myself to the very best customary,” Karaban stated in a social media submit. “Final yr, we didn’t obtain what we got down to, and I’m not working from an opportunity to make that proper. After deliberating the previous few weeks with my coaches and household about my future, I’ve realized that my coronary heart stays in Storrs, and I’ve unfinished enterprise to chase one other nationwide championship with my brothers.”
Hurley additionally introduced the addition of former Villanova interim head coach and assistant Mike Nardi to his workers. Nardi, who was a four-year starter at Villanova from 2003-07, spent the final decade on the Fundamental Line and was part of Jay Wright’s dynasty with nationwide championships in 2016 and 2018. After Kevin Willard didn’t retain Nardi, who served as interim after Kyle Neptune was fired and led Villanova to the School Basketball Crown semifinals, Nardi was searching for a brand new spot. The timing labored completely with UConn legend Tom Moore shifting to the final supervisor chair in Storrs, opening the door for Hurley to rent a top-tier assistant who provides to Connecticut’s championship pedigree.
The bricks are being laid in Storrs for a reload in 2025-26 and UConn appears greater than poised to go at St. John’s for the highest spot within the Massive East. Anticipate that rivalry to solely hold intensifying subsequent season.
John Fanta is a nationwide faculty basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in a wide range of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Discipline of 68 Media Community. Comply with him at @John_Fanta.
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