Alex Karaban Scouting Deepdive
Alex Karaban Scouting Deepdive
UCONN’s only returning starter is poised for another successful season, both individually and for the Huskies.
Alex Karaban was a surprise returner for his junior season with the repeat champion UCONN Huskies. Over the last couple of seasons, Dan Hurley and the Huskies have been nothing short of spectacular, both on the college hardwood and in the NBA Draft. In the past two drafts, UCONN has produced six draft picks, the most over that timespan. Jordan Hawkins, Andre Jackson Jr., Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer all have rightly found their way to the league. Now with the Huskies in pursuit of a three-peat, continued roster overturn places Alex Karaban in pole position to lead UCONN to history.
Defensive Gap Filler
The Huskies’ wing will be 22-years old at the day of the 2025 NBA Draft. At the 2024 Combine, Karaban measured in at 6’6.5” without shoes while boasting an impressive 6’11” wingspan. he leverages his NBA length to his advantage in the college game. Karaban has been a vital lynchpin around Dan Hurley’s defense the past couple of seasons. While Clingan correctly garnered a ton of respect for his ability to anchor the Huskies, Karaban’s work in the gaps should not go overlooked.
Through his first two collegiate seasons, Karaban has averaged over one block and one steal per 40 minutes. Timely positioning accentuates his long arms allowing him to be one of the most impactful defenders while in rotation throughout college hoops.
In the above clip, Karaban shows off his positional IQ after an offensive rebound keeps the possession alive for a good Marquette team. Even in the heat of a broken down possession, Karaban plays between two dynamic players perfectly. While in position to closeout to the weakside wing if a pass is skipped out to the perimeter, Karaban correctly reads the eyes of the passer and cracks down on Oso Ighodaro occupying the dunker spot. His wingspan flashes here as a full arm extension allows him to pick off and control what would’ve been a beautiful bounce pass.
While his foot speed may be more problematic in the association, Karaban’s timing and technique have allowed him to be a reliable on-ball defender for UCONN. Karaban typically mirrors ball handlers well and is frequently able to keep his chest in front of the basketball. Even when he is beat, his length allows him to impact shots equally on the perimeter and in the paint.
Off-Ball Impact
The largest allure of Karaban’s game comes on his off-ball understanding on the offensive end of the floor. In Dan Hurley’s set-heavy offense, Karaban’s timely off-ball movement has been an underrated element to a winning identity.
In the above clip, UCONN flows into a zoom-action with Karaban acting as the replacement while the big rolls to the cup unattended. After missing the initial read, Tristen Newton attacks downhill off the left slot. Karaban’s defender gambles with a quick blitz. As this occurs, the UCONN wing drifts further into the corner. This movement further penalizes his man for the gamble and ultimately turns into a made corner triple.
As a likely NBA role player, coaches will want Karaban’s shot diet to consist of a lot of threes and a lot of rim attempts. This modern shot diet fits Karaban’s strengths to a tee. When UCONN played through Donovan Clingan on offense, Karaban’s shooting ability (career 38.9% three-point shooter), opens up real cutting chances. In the following clip, Hurley has Karaban isolated working toward a would-be Clingan DHO. Since Karaban’s man is playing on his uphill hip, he promptly backcuts leading to an easy finish on a nice Clingan dime.
The two-year starter has been perhaps the most underrated player in the nation. UCONN’s collection of surrounding NBA talent the last couple of seasons has painted a good picture on how Alex Karaban will fit in the NBA. A nearly exclusive off-ball player who can fit into a team context.
His basketball IQ makes him dynamic offensively even when he doesn’t have the basketball. Especially in today’s heliocentric NBA game, not only does he project to be a smooth fit around an on-ball star, he also offers a ton to a team defense. With organizations constantly showing more and more support in the gaps to aid at the point of attack, the extra length and defensive timing Karaban provides can go a long way in winning possessions.
While the potential is not sky high given some of Karaban’s physical limitations and on-ball skills, he still can be a huge steal in the 2025 NBA Draft as teams picking later down the board will be eyeing a prospect who can accentuate their current collection of talent.