UConn's Karaban: NBA's Next Glue Guy

0:00On March 27, Alex Caraban has been a key piece for Yukon, helping the team win two national titles over four years. The 6-foot-8 senior is Yukon's all-time leader and made three pointers at 38 percent. Now he's turning pro, with NBA teams eyeing his shooting skills for a potential early second round pick. His numbers back it up, averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season. He shines as a movement shooter off screens and makes smart passes when defenses collapse. Plus, he rarely turns the ball over and plays within himself, bringing those winning habits from college. Defensively though, Caraban struggles with his lateral quickness, which could limit his minutes against faster pros. He lacks burst to create his own shots off the dribble, sticking to simple but effective plays. Still, his size and smarts give him a solid floor as a role player. Matt drafts project him around the 15th pick in the second round, ahead of some younger talents, because teams won ready contributors.

1:02Experts compare him to George's Neang, a reliable bench winner whose third-in-career win percentage among active NBA players with 500 games. Caraban fits as that classic glue guy, pulling defenses with his shot and boosting team chemistry, without needing the spotlight. As the draft approaches, expect a squad needing spacing to grab him for immediate impact.