Alex Karaban, a two-time champion, will return to UConn for his senior season.

Power forward Alex Karaban, a two-time national champion with UConn, has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return for his senior season, according to a source who spoke to ESPN.

The deadline to enter the NBA draft was Saturday at 11:59 ET, and although Karaban had initially submitted his name for consideration, he ultimately chose to return to Storrs for his final season of eligibility after careful consideration.

The final list of early-entry draft candidates was sent to teams on Tuesday.

“After reflecting with my coaches and family, I’ve realized that my heart is still in Storrs, and I have unfinished business — to chase another national championship with my brothers,” Karaban said in a social media post. “Let’s run it back one last time!”

Karaban, who was recently ranked No. 35 in ESPN’s NBA draft rankings, had a good chance of working his way into first-round consideration with a strong predraft process. The forward won back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024, shooting 39% from 3-point range, though his shooting dipped to 35% in a bigger role this season. UConn’s struggles at point guard contributed to their early exit in the NCAA tournament, where they were knocked out in the round of 32 by eventual champion Florida.

Karaban also entered the 2024 NBA draft, participated in the NBA combine, and played in scrimmages, but ultimately decided to return for his junior season. UConn is poised for a strong offseason, bringing back three of their four leading scorers — Karaban, shooting guard Solomon Ball, and center Tarris Reed Jr. — as well as small forward Jaylin Stewart. The Huskies also added key backcourt players in Georgia’s Silas Demary Jr. and Dayton transfer Malachi Smith, with highly touted freshman Braylon Mullins expected to play an important role.