Alex Karaban’s first stretch in a Sacramento Kings uniform hasn’t exactly jumped off the page, but there’s no real reason to sound the alarm.
The former UConn star, taken No. 29 overall in the 2026 draft last month, has opened Summer League in Las Vegas with modest numbers: three points and four rebounds across his first two games. He’s wearing No. 33 for Sacramento, and through two outings, fans still haven’t gotten the full version of what made him such a reliable piece at UConn.
His debut in Las Vegas came after a frustrating lead-up. Karaban dealt with an ankle sprain in practice that sidelined him for about a week and kept him out of the three-game California Classic. While Sacramento’s other young players were getting live reps together, Karaban was stuck watching from the sideline.
So far in Las Vegas, the results have been uneven. In a 91-85 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on July 9, Karaban played 24 minutes and finished scoreless, going 0-for-6 from the field and 0-for-4 from 3-point range. He added two rebounds, one assist, one block and three turnovers, though his plus/minus was 12.
Three days later against the Washington Wizards, he scored his first points, finishing with three in 23 minutes. He shot 1-for-3 overall and 1-for-2 from deep, while also collecting two rebounds. That game ended in a 104-85 loss, and Karaban’s plus/minus was minus-13.
Tuesday night could bring another chance, but there’s no guarantee he’ll start - or even play - when the Kings face the Brooklyn Nets at 6 p.m. ET.
Summer League lineups are fluid, with coaches mixing and matching players to evaluate different combinations and matchups. Sacramento also has every reason to be cautious with Karaban after 47 minutes on the floor, especially since he hadn’t appeared in a non-practice setting since UConn’s national title game loss on April 6.
Still, this is hardly the moment to panic. Dan Hurley has long praised Karaban’s leadership and basketball IQ, and those traits don’t disappear because the box score is quiet for a couple of games.
Karaban spent five years in Hurley’s system, and that familiarity matters. He knows that style inside and out.
That’s part of why the adjustment may take a little time. Darius Acuff Jr., the Kings’ No. 7 overall pick, came into the draft after just one season at Arkansas, making his transition a different kind of challenge. Karaban, by contrast, was drafted June 23 - only 20 days ago - and is still learning Sacramento’s system while also shaking off the ankle issue.
The Kings will play the Boston Celtics on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, and Karaban may get another shot to show more of the player Sacramento drafted. For now, patience is the sensible play.
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