University of Connecticut Athletics
Alex Karaban Named To Malone Award Midseason Watch List
2/5/2026 1:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – UConn men's basketball captain Alex Karaban has been named to the Midseason Top 10 Watch List for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, as announced by the Naismith Hall of Fame on Thursday (Feb. 5). The Hall of Fame is announcing Midseason Watch List honorees for the Naismith 'Starting Five' positional awards this week.
Karaban is in the midst of a stellar senior season as he plays out the final year of his storied UConn career. The 6-8 forward is averaging 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, adding 21 steals and 21 blocks. He has posted a 46.8 / 40.8 / 81.8 scoring line and leads the BIG EAST with 33.5 minutes per game.
The Southborough, Mass. native has scored in double-figures 16 times this year and recorded a team-high four 20-point games. Stellar performances include 21 points vs. No. 7 BYU on Nov. 15 in his home state, 21 points and six rebounds at DePaul on Dec. 21 and a season-high 23 points in the OT thriller at Providence on Jan. 7.
Karaban has led the Huskies to a 22-1 record this season as he continues to do what he has done best at UConn: win. Connecticut is 114-23 (.832) in Karaban's career and he sits one win shy of tying the program's wins record, currently held by former teammate Samson Johnson. He has started 133 games as a Husky, two shy of the UConn record, and his134 overall appearances are nine away from the most in school history.
This season Karaban has moved into 14th place on UConn's all-time scoring list, sitting at present with 1,660 career points. He is fourth in school history with 257 career 3-pointers and his 83.6 percent career mark from the free throw line is eighth in the UConn annals.
Karaban joins Solo Ball, a member of the West Award Midseason Watch List, as Huskies on a Naismith Starting Five Midseason list. UConn has won three of the positional awards in its history, with Kemba Walker (2011), Shabazz Napier (2014) and Tristen Newton (2024) all taking home the Cousy Award.
