“Maybe if he did more TikToks... We value the wrong things in sports”: Alex Karaban’s All-American snub doesn’t sit right with Dan Hurley

Returning UConn starter Alex Karaban was not listed on the AP Preseason All-America team released on Monday, and it does not sit right with his coach, Dan Hurley. The coach argued for his senior's due credit and questioned the ranking process that the 55-member national media panel had.

Hurley also claimed that Karaban's snub symbolizes a bigger issue within sports.

"Alex does a s---ty job of drawing attention to himself," Hurley said on the Big East media day on Wednesday. "Maybe if he did more TikToks, he'd have solidified his All-American status. We value the wrong things in sports. We don't value champions, but maybe that's a societal issue."

Alex Karaban returns to UConn after withdrawing early from the 2024 NBA draft, bringing significant experience. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds on 49.5% shooting last season. These might not be All-America-type numbers, but the Massachusetts native has been crucial in UConn claiming back-to-back championships.

He has served as a reliable asset on two completely different rosters, and will once again be key as the most experienced member of this year's team. Moreover, Alex Karaban has been up for any challenge when it comes to team success, be it taking fewer or more shots than usual.

Even though Karaban’s TikTok page does not have much content, he is still fairly popular. The power forward is the 26th most successful NIL athlete in the college basketball space, with 24k followers across his socials and an evaluation of $989,000 (On3).

Dan Hurley gives take on UConn ranking third on the AP preseason poll

Dan Hurley is not only taking notes about how his players are being perceived before the season, but he has also given his take on UConn’s ranking on the AP preseason poll released which was last week.

Despite consecutive titles, Hurley’s roster opens the season third (11 votes) in the rankings. The Kansas Jayhawks (30 votes) and Alabama Crimson Tide (14 votes) took the first two spots.

So, while speaking to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander on Wednesday, Dan Hurley mounted a reasonable argument as to why his Huskies deserve the top spot.

"I could see when you look at a roster and you say, 'Well, it might not measure up to these other people that just went portal crazy.' Yeah, I see that," Hurley said.

"You know, we did it two years in a row with completely different teams. Feel like we earned that number one the way a heavyweight champ would when they win the belt, even if they look staggered in fight, but they retain the belt. You don't take the belt from them. You let them keep the belt until they prove that they're not the champs anymore," he added.

Dan Hurley’s UConn is now headed for an important season. The program is eyeing a three-peat, which would not only embed Huskies in the history books but also thrust Hurley into the GOAT conversations.