UConn's Alex Karaban Ripped by Rival Coach Before NBA Draft, 'He Can't Guard Me or You'

One assistant men's college basketball coach didn't mince words when speaking about former UConn forward (and NBA draft prospect) Alex Karaban's defense.

"He can't guard me or you," the coach told David Aldridge of The Athletic, who spoke with coaches, scouts and executives about prospects in advance of the draft, which begins Tuesday.

"That's what I think his problem will be at the next level: Who's he guarding? We're going to pick on him. But he can make a shot."

Karaban played four seasons at UConn, making the national championship three times and winning it twice. He has 151 games under his belt, and he started all but one of them, averaging 32.5 minutes per game.

Needless to say, Karaban enters the draft with plenty of experience. The 6'8", 230-pound forward also fared well offensively, averaging 13.2 points on 46.4 percent shooting (37.4 percent from three) while adding 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

The latest big board from Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has Karaban at 33rd overall. Wasserman also has Karaban going 41st overall in his latest mock draft.

"NBA teams will eye Alex Karaban for the same role he played during Connecticut's three Final Four runs," Wasserman wrote. "He has some fans for his ability to make spot-up and movement threes, cut through defenses and play mistake-free ball."

Another assistant coach spoke with Aldridge about Karaban and provided another perspective.

"I don't know. I always thought he was good. He kicked our butts. But there's something about him. I think he's a step slow. I don't think he's like (Sam) Hauser. He doesn't move well laterally. When we played him … we would always just go at him. Maybe his shooting ability trumps that. Danny (Hurley) loves him.

"He's going to make some organization win; he's a winner. Just my opinion. I could be wrong. Is he a guy like a G League guy, like a two-way guy? I don't know. 'Cause I think he's a good player, but I think he's on that fringe. Like (Baylor) Scheierman, he played with an edge, he's tough. I don't see that with Karaban. Is he a small-ball four? Is he a three?"

Ultimately, there's a lot to like about Karaban, even if there are some concerns on the defensive end. As that coach said, he is a winner and could certainly help an organization. It's hard to ignore his success in college and ability to compete against the best in Division I.

We'll see how an NBA team feels about him shortly when the NBA draft goes down on Tuesday and Wednesday.