UConn’s Alex Karaban reveals how he guilted Dan Hurley into rejecting the Lakers job
Alex Karaban is one of many players who has thrived under head coach Dan Hurley at the UConn Huskies. It would seem only fitting that the redshirt junior voiced his opinion when Hurley received a massive offer during the offseason to become the new coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Making an appearance on The Field of 68 network's Top Dogs podcast episode on Oct. 9, Karaban revealed how he received a phone call from his coach on June 9 after receiving the Lakers' offer. While he understood what the opportunity meant, he mentioned how Hurley was the main reason he returned to UConn for the 2024-25 season.
"We had a phone call people know about on Sunday, and that was important for me just to hear from him, and really just try to get and understand where his head's at," Karaban said.
"I told him, obviously selfishly, I want you to stay. I did come back for you. But, you know at the same time, I was happy for him. He's changed my life, he's changed so many other players' lives too. So, he deserved to look for the Lakers opportunity and make the best decision for him selfishly."
"But thank goodness he came back, because I was stressing that week," he added.
On June 5, Hurley revealed his interest to speak to the Lakers as they looked for a replacement for the sacked Darvin Ham. However, he rejected a six-year, $70 million deal from the 17-time NBA champions to stay at Storrs, inking a new six-year, $50 million contract with UConn instead.
Alex Karaban - the lone returning starter for the Huskies in 2024-25
As the lone returning starter, Alex Karaban will likely play a leadership role for Hurley and the Huskies in the 2024-25 season. While he chose to withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft to play his junior season at UConn, his fellow starters will embark on new journeys away from Storrs.
Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan became first-round picks in the 2024 NBA draft, while Tristan Newton and Cam Spencer exhausted their eligibility in men's college basketball.
Karaban was one of the top forwards in the Big East last season. He started every game, averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He will be keen to impress in his junior season, as the Huskies will chase an unprecedented third national championship in a row.