UConn's Alex Karaban Aims to Join Elite 3-Time NCAA Champions Club

Redshirt senior guard looks to become first player in 53 years to win 3 national titles

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:05am

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UConn men's basketball player Alex Karaban is aiming to join an exclusive club of three-time NCAA national champions. Karaban was part of the Huskies' championship teams in 2023 and 2024, and is looking to win his third title this year. If successful, he would become the first player to accomplish this feat in 53 NCAA seasons, last achieved by Larry Farmer and Larry Hollyfield of the UCLA Bruins in the early 1970s.

Why it matters

Winning three NCAA championships in a college career is an incredible accomplishment, demonstrating sustained excellence and dominance over multiple seasons. Karaban has a chance to cement his legacy as one of the greatest college basketball players of his era by joining this elite group.

The details

Karaban, a 23-year-old redshirt senior, was part of UConn's championship teams in 2023 and 2024. He and teammates Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson were denied a chance at a three-peat last season when Florida knocked them out of the tournament in the second round. Diarra and Johnson have since moved on, but Karaban has one last opportunity to make history.

  • Karaban won NCAA titles with UConn in 2023 and 2024.
  • Karaban and UConn were eliminated in the 2025 NCAA Tournament second round.
  • Karaban is a redshirt senior for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The players

Alex Karaban

A 23-year-old redshirt senior guard for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team, looking to become the first player in 53 years to win three NCAA national championships.

Hassan Diarra

A former UConn teammate of Karaban's who was part of the Huskies' 2023 and 2024 championship teams, but has since moved on from the program.

Samson Johnson

Another former UConn teammate of Karaban's who was part of the Huskies' 2023 and 2024 title-winning squads, but has since departed the program.

Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)

The last player to win three NCAA national championships, accomplishing the feat with the UCLA Bruins from 1967-1969.

Larry Farmer

One of the last players to win three NCAA titles, doing so with the UCLA Bruins from 1971-1973.

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What’s next

If UConn reaches the 2026 NCAA Tournament Final Four, Alex Karaban will have a chance to make history and join the exclusive list of three-time national champions.

The takeaway

Alex Karaban's pursuit of a third NCAA title with UConn highlights the incredible feat of winning multiple championships in a college basketball career. Joining the elite group of three-time champions would cement Karaban's legacy as one of the greatest players of his era.