Karaban saddles up for one last ride in an iconic career

Alex Karaban prepares for final season at UConn, where senior forward is appreciative of having one more moment in the sun. (Photo by Getty Images)

NEW YORK — The story of Alex Karaban has been told so many times that it may seem like old hat after a while. 

But in the case of anything reliable, familiarity breeds comfort before it can beget contempt, which makes Karaban’s saga compelling even at its most trite narration. Like it or not, UConn’s senior forward is arguably college basketball’s most accomplished winner right now, the only two-time national champion on a Division I roster. And unlike last season, when the Massachusetts native tested the NBA Draft waters before resisting the siren song of the professional ranks while his head coach, Dan Hurley, went through his own courtship with the Los Angeles Lakers, his latest decision was more of a no-brainer this offseason.

Even as he stayed largely mum following UConn’s NCAA Tournament loss to Florida this past March, his comments about not wanting to hang up his No. 11 jersey spoke the loudest volumes before declaring he would remain a Husky weeks later.

“I had more of a clearer idea of what I wanted to do,” Karaban recalled Tuesday at the Big East Conference’s media day. “It was either go straight to the NBA or come back. I didn’t want to do the whole testing idea again. But it felt easier. I really just want to give everything I’ve got to this program and leave it with no regrets this year, just capitalize on what we can do this year. I think that’s what really drew me back.”

The opportunity to return to the mountaintop a vindicated conqueror, coupled with the now-certain future of the man who brought him an hour southwest down Interstates 90 and 84, afforded the most tangible clarity in the process.

“Definitely,” Karaban said when asked if Hurley’s job security and status played a role in the former’s return. “I think knowing that Coach Hurley is still here and he’s gonna be the coach at UConn, that’s always exciting. He’s the best coach in the business, and to play for the best coach, I think, is just a blessing.”

It would be hard to find two figures in the sport as inextricably linked to one another the way Karaban and Hurley are. Each is a blue-collar worker who stops at nothing to better himself, an independent and atypical breed who goes against the grain and thrives off an old-school mentality of going about his business to drive results as opposed to craving attention. Hurley lamented his veteran leader’s lack of exposure Tuesday, but at the same time, heralded Karaban for honing his craft and developing himself in a manner he was most comfortable with, even if it flies squarely in the face of the present landscape.

“I think when Alex is Alex, he’s a ball player,” Hurley observed. “He leads by example. In an era where I think there’s a lot of athletes and sportspeople that are vying for attention, they’re vying for clicks, they’re vying for viral videos, this guy should be celebrated. He should be promoted.”

“Alex Karaban represents what’s great about sports. It’s work ethic, it’s sacrifice, it’s winning, it’s being responsible, it’s leading by example. It’s being about team, it’s front of jersey. That’s not gonna get him any endorsement deals, because unfortunately in society today, that’s not as celebrated as it should be. This guy should have so many campaigns leading into the year. This guy is legitimately attempting to be the most accomplished college basketball player since the players that played at UCLA in the sixties and seventies. This guy has a legitimate chance to potentially win three national championships in four years as a starting player and as an integral part of those teams. Unfortunately, Alex is not dancing around dropping TikToks in here, so his story probably isn’t told as much in our society today.”

The ability to fly under the radar in that regard, no small feat given UConn’s stature as a national basketball power and the Huskies’ No. 4 ranking going into the season, has helped keep Karaban grounded in reality. This season, there will be no decision to make about his future. With the clock running out, and only five more months of sand in the proverbial hourglass, Karaban is merely relishing the chance to go to work each day. Sometimes the familiar can become boring, but the tried and true method is usually, ultimately, the best.

“I’ve really just been trying to live in the moment, with no regrets,” he said. “Just compete every single my game, give my best on a daily basis — during practice, during games — really just making sure this last year is the best year and just win as many championships as we can and really help these guys out from a leadership standpoint. I’m just enjoying the moment, enjoying every game, enjoying wearing the UConn jersey, just being proud of wearing that jersey with honor.”