Alex Karaban Ties UConn Wins Record in Return to Hinkle Fieldhouse - and Sets Sights on More
INDIANAPOLIS - Hinkle Fieldhouse has been kind to Alex Karaban over the years. The UConn senior forward has delivered some of his most memorable performances in this storied building.
Two years ago, he dropped 20 points-15 of them in the second half-to lead a comeback win on his mother Olga’s birthday. Last season, he paced the Huskies with 21 points to hold off a feisty Butler squad.
Wednesday night? Not one for the highlight reel, at least not statistically.
Karaban was limited by early foul trouble, playing just eight minutes in the first half and finishing with six points and five rebounds. But the night still carved out a spot in the record books.
With UConn’s 80-70 win over Butler, Karaban notched his 115th career victory in a Huskies uniform-tying the all-time program record.
“It’s an honor to do it at this program,” Karaban said postgame. “I hope to add on to it in the future.”
He’s now even with Samson Johnson, his former teammate and two-time national champion, who set the mark just last season. Fittingly, Johnson was in the building to see it happen.
“I’m proud of him, that’s a great accomplishment,” Johnson said after the game. “Obviously, I don’t want to jinx anything, but he’s going to break it.
And I’ll be even happier for him. To be holding that record at a program like this is incredible.”
Now, this wasn’t some ceremonial appearance. Johnson didn’t fly in just for the moment-he lives in the area.
He’s currently suiting up for the Noblesville Boom, the G-League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, just 20 minutes down the road. The 6-foot-10 forward has added some muscle to his frame and is putting up 9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in his rookie season as a pro.
“It’s going well,” Johnson said. “I’m still trying to figure out a lot of stuff, getting used to being a pro. There’s a lot that comes with it, but I feel like I’ve been holding my own pretty well.”
After the game, Johnson stepped into the UConn locker room-something of a tradition now for former Huskies-and shared a few words with the team.
“He’s proud of us, proud of how the season’s been going,” Karaban said. “He said he’s been watching every game this year. He’s been super-happy with everything, and he’s going to continue to cheer us on.”
Johnson, a quiet leader during his time in Storrs and a fan favorite, carved out a unique role in recent Huskies history. He backed up Donovan Clingan during UConn’s 2024 title run, then stepped into the starting center role last season ahead of Tarris Reed Jr.-despite Reed putting up stronger numbers across the board. Johnson’s impact wasn’t always measured in the box score, but his presence was undeniable.
When UConn’s 2025 season ended with a Round-of-32 loss to Florida, Karaban, emotional and teary-eyed, looked around the locker room at Johnson and fellow senior Hassan Diarra and asked, “Imagine a locker room without them?”
Fast forward to Wednesday night, and the vibes were much lighter. Karaban even got a few playful jabs in at Johnson after tying his record.
“I did talk trash a little to him about it,” Karaban said with a grin. “While also knocking wood to make sure I don’t jinx anything.
I love Samson. That’s my guy.”
Karaban won’t have to wait long for a shot at the outright record. If UConn beats Georgetown at Gampel Pavilion on Saturday, he’ll stand alone atop the Huskies’ all-time wins list. He’s also set to tie Jake Voskuhl’s program record for games started (135) that night, with a chance to break it three days later against Creighton-also at Gampel.
And the milestones don’t stop there. Karaban is inching his way up UConn’s all-time scoring list.
He currently sits at No. 12 with 1,683 career points, just behind Jalen Adams (1,706). With a strong finish to the season, Karaban could climb into the top six, potentially overtaking legends like Ray Allen (1,922) or Shabazz Napier (1,959).
But there’s one number that matters more than any other: three.
No UConn player has ever won three national championships. No men’s college player has done it in over half a century.
Karaban already has two. And if he and the Huskies can pull it off again this spring, they’ll do it right here in Indianapolis-at Lucas Oil Stadium, just a few miles from the site of his latest milestone.
You can bet Samson Johnson will be in the building for that one, too.