Alex Karaban Withdraws from 2024 NBA Draft, Will Return to UConn After National Title

Alex Karaban is going for a three-peat.

The UConn forward announced Wednesday he is withdrawing from the 2024 NBA draft and returning to the Huskies for the upcoming men's college basketball campaign. "While I've enjoyed the draft process, Storrs is home," he wrote. "Let's run it back."

Karaban and other draft prospects have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday to decide whether they will remain in the draft or return to school, so he made his decision close to the deadline.

While he was not included in the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, he did have the opportunity to test himself against fellow prospects and go through the draft preparations. That will surely benefit him next year or beyond when he does decide to pursue the NBA.

David Borges of CT Insider noted he "had a strong performance" during the NBA Draft Combine that included impressive showings in three-point shooting drills and one of the five-on-five scrimmages.

Earlier this month, Karaban spoke to college basketball insider Andy Katz and certainly didn't rule out returning to school and playing another season under head coach Dan Hurley.

"It's a win-win no matter what," he said of his decision. "Staying in the draft, of course, is chasing my NBA dreams that I've always wanted for a while. But going back to school, there's no better place to play college basketball than for UConn. Playing under Coach Hurley and the coaching staff for another year would be a blessing."

This is certainly a boost for the Huskies, who will be going for their third consecutive national championship during the 2024-25 campaign.

The 2022-23 Big East All-Freshman took a jump during his sophomore season in 2023-24 and averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from deep.

Karaban scored in double figures in three of the team's six NCAA tournament games, including when he posted 14 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two assists during the Final Four victory over Alabama.

His decision to return gives UConn additional experience and a veteran leader during a season when it will surely receive the best shot from each of its opponents.