Alex Karaban’s UConn career already had the championship hardware and the record book numbers. Now it has one more line of recognition attached to it.
The BIG EAST announced Wednesday that the former Huskies star is the 2025-26 winner of the BIG EAST Sport Excellence Award for men’s basketball, an honor that blends academics, production on the floor and service in the community.
The award goes to one student-athlete in each BIG EAST-sponsored sport and is based on academic credentials, athletic accolades or performances and volunteer service. To qualify, student-athletes must have reached junior academic standing and carry at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA. The conference’s Faculty Athletics Representative Council selects the winners.
Karaban finished his UConn run after the 2026 National Championship, closing out a decorated career as a two-time national champion starter. He leaves Storrs as the program’s all-time leader in wins, games played, games started, minutes logged and 3-pointers made. He also ranks sixth in UConn history with 1,880 points across 151 career games.
His résumé in the league matched the production. Karaban was a three-time All-BIG EAST selection and picked up All-Tournament honors at the 2026 Final Four.
The classroom side was just as strong. The Southborough, Mass. native earned an economics degree in 2025 with a 3.39 GPA, then completed his non-profit management certificate in 2026 with a 3.92 GPA. He was a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic team selection and was named a finalist for the Impactful Emerging Leader Award in late 2025.
In Other News...
Dan Hurley Faces A Crucial UConn Decision For The Next Title Push
The UConn mens basketball program is about to lose one of its most familiar behind-the-scenes figures, with Tom Moore set to retire after a run that dates back to 1994 and included a stint as general manager. For Dan Hurley, the timing matters. The Huskies have built a modern power by staying ahead of roster churn, and now the job of replacing Moore comes with the expectation of helping keep that machine running at the front end of recruiting and team construction.
Hurley has already acknowledged the search for a new general manager, and the next person in that chair will be asked to do more than fill a title. UConn is trying to stay in on the next wave of talent, including top 2027 prospect Malachi Jordan, who visited during a recent recruiting event, while former Husky Alex Karaban was honored with the Big East Sport Excellence Award after being drafted by the Sacramento Kings. The program is still doing what it usually does, but the next title push may depend on how quickly the right off-court piece falls into place. [Read more 🡒]