Despite Loss, Alex Karaban Ends UConn Career As An All-Time Great
UConn forward Alex Karaban finished his career with two national titles, three Final Fours and 18 NCAA tournament victories, the third-most in history.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley pauses for the national anthem with Alex Karaban (11) and Solo Ball (1) before the start of the NCAA college basketball tournament national championship game against Michigan at the Final Four, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
When Alex Karaban caught the ball beyond the 3-point line near the top of the key with UConn trailing by four points Monday night, the senior forward didn’t hesitate. So many times the past few seasons, Karaban had a similar move, running around to get open and making the shot. But this time with 17 seconds remaining in the national title game, Karaban’s attempt grazed the front of the rim and fell short.
Instead of cutting UConn’s deficit to one, the miss all but assured the fairy tale ending to its season wasn’t meant to be. And when Michigan freshman guard Trey McKenney made two free throws on the other end to clinch a 69-63 victory to win the school’s second NCAA championship, Karaban’s career was officially over. Despite the loss, just the second for Karaban in 20 NCAA tournament games, he leaves as among the best players in program history.
He ranks first in UConn history in games played (151) and won (126) as well as 3-pointers made (292) and true shooting percentage (59. 8%). He is also second in win shares (21.
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