STORRS, Conn. — Alex Karaban was playing “NBA 2K” in his space on Sunday afternoon when the phone called.
“My eyes got genuine huge,” Karaban stated. It was Dan Hurley calling.
Karaban, a increasing junior who justrecently revealed his choice to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to UConn, was “really worried” about Hurley’s impending choice to either signupwith him in pursuit of a three-peat nationwide champion, or endedupbeing the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I came back to be with Coach Hurley,” Karaban stated. “Of course, I would haveactually been so pleased for him if he took the Lakers task, however you’re worried since I went through the NBA Draft procedure, got excellent feedback, however was 50-50 on that choice and eventually stated yes to returning here and being a part of capacity history.”
“If Alex didn’t return, I’m not sure I would have altered my choice, however that was definitely something I talked about a lot,” Hurley stated. “He offered me his recommendations, and I asked him for it. I followed his recommendations.”
What a distinction a week makes.
Last week, the vibes in Storrs, Connecticut, were that of issue. On Monday, Karaban stated he and his colleagues sat as the clock ticked, waiting on a choice from their head coach and questioning if whatever would be the exactsame, or if a significant modification was on the method. Karaban was more positive than not with Hurley’s impending option, however was informed by his coach on the phone Sunday that he was at 65% stay at UConn vs. 35% go to LA.
Fast-forward to Thursday afternoon in Storrs, where Hurley strolled into the Werth Family UConn Basketball Champions Center with his blue Huskies t-shirt and the word “EVERYTHING” throughout his chest.
“I didn’t like the method they looked at me when I informed them I was going to thinkabout it,” Hurley stated of his preliminary discussions with his gamers after news broke of him being thoughtabout for the Lakers task, “but I’ve liked the dealswith a lot more consideringthat I’ve informed them I’m staying.”
Those dealswith consistof Karaban, Samson Johnson and Hassan Diarra, all members of the Huskies’ back-to-back nationwide champion groups, and all smiling ear-to-ear on Thursday.
All is right at UConn, and while Hurley informed FOX Sports that he and Lakers basic supervisor Rob Pelinka “would have worked well together and might have established a fantastic strategy,” the 51-year-old likewise included that this experience offered him a higher gratitude of the chance he has at UConn.
“This was a fantastic test for how I feel about UConn and being a college coach,” Hurley stated. “I think scenarios like this come up for you to test your worth system, and the things essential to you. So, in a method, this was a excellent chance for self-reflection of what’s most essential in my profession.”
Hurley dismissed the concept that his flirtation and talks with the Lakers brass was some sort of utilize play, mentioning Thursday afternoon that University of Connecticut athletic director David Benedict and his representative, Bret Just, hadactually been settling a brand-new agreement 2 weeks back.
“Hopefully we’re able to complete it quickly,” Hurley stated. “I’m flattered by what Dave has put together for me. It’s extremely reasonable.”
Sources have formerly verified to FOX Sports that UConn hasactually mapped out an deal of approximately $50 million for 6 years, coming in at over $8 million per year.
“When the Lakers come calling, and you’re the type of individual that is competitive and looking for obstacles, and desires to be the finest the method I do, it was something I truly had to thinkabout,” Hurley stated. “The idea of training LeBron James was exceptionally amazing. This was not some utilize circumstance. I’ve won back-to-back champions, and I’ve had plenty of takeadvantageof in the offseason.”
That utilize, control, and desire to signupwith John Wooden and win a 3rd straight nationwide title – as well as the joy of his otherhalf, Andrea, and his household – is what made Hurley come to a choice that made all of Connecticut rejoice earlier this week.
“In the end, it was too lotsof factors to be here at UConn,” Hurley stated. “It’s your household, it’s where you’re finest fit to coach, it’s the service side, and it’s your gamers, like Alex, who came here to be a part of this. It’s the individuals in Connecticut who haveactually dealtwith me so fantastic.”
Hurley is king in his state now, with regional diningestablishments promising to provide him complimentary chicken wings, pizza and hot petdogs for life.
And after turning down the Lakers and promising to stay in Connecticut, it makes you question: Could Hurley stay at UConn for the rest of his training profession?
“Yes, it’s a believed that getsin your head and that’s the just method I’ll think as we go for another year of winning champions,” Hurley stated. “It’s difficult to task that far out, however if you’re going to pass on that [the Lakers job] to stay here …”
Hurley briefly stoppedbriefly before case to smile and shrug his shoulders.
“I get a possibility to coach 18-, 19- and 20-year-old kids,” Hurley included. “The effect you can now have on Jordan Hawkins and his household, Donovan Clingan and his household, [at the college level] you get the mix of top competitors and satisfaction.”
On Thursday afternoon, the whole ambiance of anybody using a Huskies t-shirt was one of overall satisfaction, and a frameofmind of what’s possible for this blue-blood program that has accounted for 6 nationwide titles in the last 25 years.
“I understand it sounds insane, however I believe we’ve got a group that might be one of the most gifted that this program has ever had,” Karaban stated with a smile. “Now, we understand the finest coach in the nation is here to supervise it all. It’s time to get to work.”
John Fanta is a nationwide college basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a range of capabilities, from calling videogames on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to offering commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta.
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