Alex Karaban Reacts To UConn Career Decision

Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Alex Karaban Reacts To UConn Career Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Apr 17, 2026 1:14 PM ET

Alex Karaban and the Connecticut Huskies had a strong 2025-26 men’s college basketball season. Under head coach Dan Hurley, the Huskies ripped through regular-season play. By finishing 34-6 while going 17-3 in Big East play, UConn finished No. 2 in the conference behind Rick Pitino and the St. John’s Red Storm.

Karaban himself had a fantastic season and career for Connecticut. Staying for all four seasons in Storrs, the 6-foot-8 forward set a myriad of program records. Karaban won 126 games, passing center Samson Johnson (115); surpassed Shabazz Napier (143) for games played (151); dethroned center Jake Voskuhl (135) for starts (150); and eclipsed Rashad Anderson (276) for 3-pointers made (292).

Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) controls the ball.© Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Karaban won championships with Connecticut in 2023 and 2024. The Algonquin Regional High School graduate cemented himself as a UConn great. With his graduation, Hurley will have to find production from other areas of his roster.

Jayden Ross is a former teammate of Karaban who was part of the 2024 title team. The Long Island Lutheran High School graduate arrived at Connecticut as the No. 113 overall player in the 2023 class, which included guards Stephon Castle and Solomon Ball.

In each season at Connecticut, Ross has improved his scoring (0.7 points per game in 2023-24, 2.4 in 2024-25, 4.7 in 2025-26) and rebounding (0.7 rebounds per game in 2023-24, 1.5 in 2024-25, 2.5 in 2025-26). With Karaban, center Tarris Reed Jr. and guard Malachi Smith graduating, Hurley will look for Ross to step up his play in his senior season.

On Thursday, Jayden Ross went to social media to announce he was returning to Connecticut for the 2026-27 season. Ross posted on Instagram a video of his highlights along with a second image of him holding a finger to his mouth, captioned “I’m back.” Although his former teammate Karaban will not be on the roster, he showed support in the post, replying underneath with an emotional reaction.

“Never wavered,” Ross wrote on Instagram. “1 more #bleedblue.”

“I’m so happy,” Karaban wrote.