University of Connecticut Athletics
Karaban Named To NABC Player of the Year Watch List
10/30/2025 11:01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – UConn men's basketball standout Alex Karaban has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 NABC Division I Player of the Year award, The National Association of Basketball Coaches announced on Thursday (Oct. 30). Karaban is one of 20 players nationally to make the list and one of two from the BIG EAST.
The 2026 NABC Division I Player of the Year – to be selected by a nationwide vote of Division I head coaches at the conclusion of the regular season – will be announced the week of the 2026 Men's Final Four.
Karaban has cemented himself as one of college basketball's great winners during his time in Storrs. The four-year starter and two-time national champion has led the Huskies to a 92-22 record (.807) during his time at UConn and is one of the top-30 scorers in program history. He also ranks top-10 in program history in made 3-pointers and free throw percentage and is trending towards several other spots in the record books.
The Southborough, Mass. native is coming off an All-Conference season as a junior, grabbing a Second Team All-BIG EAST nod after averaging 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in '24-25. He was named Preseason First Team All-BIG EAST earlier this month. In two exhibition contests for the Huskies ahead of the season opener on Nov. 3, Karaban led the way with 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in wins over Boston College and Michigan State.
