3 UConn Huskies men's basketball players who stood out in first offseason practice for 2024-25 season

The UConn Huskies' preseason is officially underway as they look to make college basketball history this season. UConn won the national championship in 2023 and, despite replacing much of their starting lineup, repeated as champions last year. They became the first program since the 2007 Florida Gators to win back-to-back titles.

While much of their starting unit has once again moved on to the NBA, the Huskies will look to join John Wooden's UCLA Bruins – who won seven straight between 1967 and 1973 – as the only men's college basketball programs to win three titles in a row.

Here's a closer look at three players who have shined during the early offseason practices.

3 UConn Huskies men's basketball players who stood out in first offseason practice

#1. Alex Karaban

Alex Karaban joined the UConn Huskies as a four-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. After redshirting his true freshman season, he has started in each of the past two years with his role and production growing significantly last season.

He averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.5% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range and 88.5% from the free throw line.

Karaban is expected to be the leader of the Huskies this season as all four of their starters from last season's squad - all of whom averaged at least 11.1 points per game – have moved on to the NBA. He has looked ready for the uptick in touches early on.

#2. Samson Johnson

Samson Johnson joined the Huskies as a four-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. After receiving limited playing time in each of his first two seasons, he appeared in all 40 games last season, making seven starts. He averaged 5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.4 spg and 0.9 bpg in 16.0 mpg while shooting 72.5% from the field.

Johnson appears primed to enter the starting lineup and see a big rise in his touches. His production increased in the five games Donovan Clingan missed, and he could be a breakout player for the Huskies next season.

#3. Liam McNeeley

Liam McNeeley joined the UConn Huskies as a five-star prospect, and top-ten overall prospect, in the 2024 recruiting class. He has played well in the early stages of training camp and will need that to continue into the season if Dan Hurley's squad has any hopes of winning a third straight national title.