University of Connecticut Athletics
Demary Jr. and Karaban On Naismith Late-Season Team
2/19/2026 12:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ATLANTA - UConn men's basketball has a pair of honorees on the 2026 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Late-Season Team, as announced by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club on Thursday (Feb. 19). Silas Demary Jr. and Alex Karaban have been named to the 30-player list, making UConn one of five programs nationally with multiple players among the honorees. The duo also represent two of the three BIG EAST players on the list.
Demary Jr. has starred in his maiden season in Storrs. The junior transfer averages 11.5 points and a league-leading 6.5 assists per game, grabbing 4.5 rebounds and swiping 1.7 steals per contest. He has been one of the nation's most efficient point guards, shooting 48.8 percent from the floor, 45.2 percent from three and 79.4 percent from the stripe. Demary Jr. ranks 11th in the country with 175 total assists and is 36th nationally with a 2.87 assist/turnover ratio. Per Evan Miya's BPR, he is the eight-most valuable player in the country and the third-best point guard.
Karaban has continued to shine as his historic career in Storrs comes to a close this season. The redshirt senior averages 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 asssists and 1.7 'stocks' per game, totaling 22 blocks and 23 steals. He has shot an efficient 47.5 percent from the field and hit at a 40.8 percent from 3-point ragne while connecting at 83.1 percent from the foul line. Karaban has continued his ascent in the UConn record books this season and recently became the program's all-time leader in wins (116) and games started (137). His 1,703 career points put him at 12th on UConn's all-time scoring ledger.
The Huskies have never had a Naismith Men's College Player of the Year in program history. Members of the Late-Season Team are eligible for All America honors and more.
