HARTFORD, Conn. — The wait is over, and Alex Karaban will be staying with the UConn men’s basketball program for his redshirt senior season.

For the second offseason in a row, Karaban weighed a decision between staying in college and going into the NBA draft, where he likely would’ve been selected in the second round. Karaban spent time working out with his agency in Chicago and received feedback from NBA teams before announcing his decision on Tuesday morning.

The Huskies’ 22-year-old captain will have a chance to compete for a third national title in four years.

“The last few years have been transformational for me as a person and player,” Karaban wrote in a social media post. “I am forever grateful to my coaching staff, my brothers, the fans and the community at UConn for all of the memories we’ve made together. I pride myself on accepting challenges and holding myself to the highest standard. Last year, we didn’t achieve what we set out to, and I am not running from a chance to make that right!

“After deliberating the last few weeks with my coaches and family about my future, I’ve realized that my heart remains in Storrs, and I have unfinished business to chase another national championship with my brothers. Let’s run it back one last time!”

The goal in staying last summer was to develop into an All-American and Big East Player of the Year candidate. Karaban fell short of his goals during a frustrating season, finishing 2024-25 averaging 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 35.8 minutes per game, his shooting percentage taking a bit of a hit as it fell to 43.8% from the field and 34.7% from beyond the 3-point arc — both career lows. The team also fell short of its goals, being eliminated in the second round of the NCAA Tournament by eventual champion and No. 1 seed Florida.

There is reason for optimism as Dan Hurley and the Huskies put together a roster that more closely reflects those of the title teams, on which Karaban thrived.

His experience in Hurley’s complex offense made Karaban the straw that stirred the drink over the last three seasons, even despite the prolonged shooting slump that hurt his production during a significant stretch of the Big East schedule. After losing four players to the transfer portal, two to graduation and one (Liam McNeeley) to the NBA draft, Karaban’s return gives the Huskies one of the deepest and more veteran rotations in the country.

Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. fills the “big guard” role that was missing in 2024-25, when the Huskies were ousted in the second round of the NCAA Tournament by eventual national champion Florida. Demary — who hasn’t yet confirmed his withdrawal from the draft process — projects to have a similar impact to Tristen Newton, the point guard who was a consistent triple-double threat, and will be backed up by Dayton transfer Malachi Smith, a two-way New York City guard.

UConn was able to keep its key pieces in place with Solo Ball and Jaylin Stewart returning. Tarris Reed Jr. will step into the starting center role, backed up by a McDonald’s All American in 7-foot freshman center Eric Reibe, who poses a more versatile offensive threat than the Huskies have had at the position. Braylon Mullins, another Burger Boy who was named Indiana Mr. Basketball on Sunday, figures to make an immediate impact as one of the best shooters in his class with Jayden Ross and Jacob Furphy, another skilled incoming freshman, also part of the rotation.

One-and-done freshman Liam McNeeley, a projected first-round pick, will likely be the lone Husky drafted in 2025.

With Karaban’s decision solidified, Hurley and staff will have a clearer portrait to paint for potential transfers as they look to fill out the roster.

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