Forward Alex Karaban, a key member of UConn's back-to-back national championship teams, will test the NBA draft waters but keep his eligibility. Karaban, who started 77 of 78 games the past two seasons, announced his decision via social media on Thursday. "Thank you to my family and friends for all of the countless sacrifices and constant support throughout my career -- especially during the ups and downs," Karaban wrote. In the just-concluded season, Karaban averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. In his two seasons at UConn, he posted averages of 11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds. "Thank you (to the Huskies coaching staff) for your belief in me and giving me the opportunity to play at UConn," he added. "You guys have pushed me not only to be a better player, but also have helped me become a better man. My experience here has exceeded my expectations and I am blessed to be part of back-to-back national championships." In the 2024 Final Four, Karaban posted 14 points and eight rebounds against Alabama to help UConn reach the national championship game against Purdue. He had five points, six boards and four assists as the Huskies topped the Boilermakers for the national title. Karaban scored 20 or more points eight times this season. --Field Level Media

Former Georgetown guard/forward Dontrez Styles committed to transfer to North Carolina State, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday. The Atlantic Coast Conference is familiar turf for Styles, a former Kinston High (N.C.) star who began his college career at North Carolina for two seasons before transferring to Georgetown. Styles had a solid breakout season for Georgetown in 2023-24, averaging 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 32 starts. He made 49 3-point baskets for the Hoyas (9-23, 2-18 Big East). Styles played sparingly during his time at North Carolina, logging averages of 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 45 games off the bench. NC State lands Styles after coming off an impressive Final Four run. The Wolfpack lost their final four regular-season games to fall to 17-14 before winning five games in five days at the ACC tournament to claim the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. No. 11 seed NC State then won its first four NCAA tourney contests, including a 76-64 win over Duke to reach the Final Four. The magical run ended with a 63-50 loss to Purdue in the national semifinals. --Field Level Media

Kentucky G Reed Sheppard declares for NBA draft

Kentucky freshman star Reed Sheppard announced Thursday that he is entering the 2024 NBA Draft. Sheppard posted a video to social media thanking fans and also told ESPN that he is "going all-in," forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility. The son of former Kentucky basketball stars Jeff Sheppard and Stacey Reed, Reed Sheppard was named the National Freshman of the Year by the USBWA and NABC after emerging from Kentucky's touted, crowded freshman class. Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals across 33 games (only five starts) while shooting a remarkable 52.1 percent from 3-point range. He is projected to be a lottery pick this June by many mock drafts. "Playing basketball at the University of Kentucky was a huge part of my dream," Sheppard said in his video. "I am so thankful to wear the blue and white jersey that represents my family, my friends and the hardworking, faithful fans of the Big Blue Nation. Kentucky is home. Kentucky will always be home. "However, there is another part of my dream: to play basketball in the NBA. I believe it is time to pursue that dream. Therefore, I will be entering my name into the NBA draft today." Sheppard's decision came in the middle of a transition to a new head coach after John Calipari parted ways with the school to take the Arkansas job. But the new hire was no stranger to Sheppard. Kentucky named former Wildcats player Mark Pope, who was head coach at BYU, as Calipari's replacement. Jeff Sheppard and Pope were teammates and roommates at Kentucky in the 1990s and remain close friends. Pope said before the announcement he understood Reed Sheppard was making more than a stay-or-go call because of lottery pick draft grades. "Reed is in that elite air status where he's a lottery pick," Pope said last week. "He's going to be the fourth or fifth or sixth or seventh pick in the NBA Draft. That is not something to be taken lightly. It's really extraordinary." Sheppard, who grew up in Kentucky, thanked the fan base throughout his video. "You have been with me from Day 1, faithful and passionate," he said. "I am asking you to go with me on this journey. I am looking forward to taking you with me." --Field Level Media

Hailey Van Lith will play her final year of college basketball at TCU, multiple outlets reported Thursday. Van Lith started at Louisville for three seasons before transferring to LSU for the 2023-24 campaign. The defending champion Tigers lost to Iowa and Caitlin Clark in the Elite Eight, and Van Lith entered the NCAA transfer portal again. The guard also visited Mississippi State last week. Bulldogs coach Sam Purcell recruited Van Lith at Louisville when he was an assistant coach there. In her single season at LSU, Van Lith averaged 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 33 games (all starts). In her career, she has averages of 14.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 134 games (133 starts). Former Fresno State and Miami standout Haley Cavinder, who took last season off from basketball, had committed to TCU. Instead, she announced Thursday that she would join her twin, Hanna, in returning to the Hurricanes. The Horned Frogs finished 21-12 (6-12 Big 12) in the 2022-23 season. --Field Level Media

Haley Cavinder reversed her commitment to TCU on Thursday, saying she was returning to Miami after a year off. Haley and twin sister Hanna Cavinder played three seasons at Fresno State, then transferred to Miami for the 2022-23 season. After the Hurricanes' run to the Elite Eight in the 2022-23 season, the twins announced their retirement to pursue other interests. But last fall, Haley Cavinder announced her plan to play in 2024-25 at TCU, using her final season of eligibility. On Thursday, a day after Hanna said she was heading back to Miami for one final lap, Haley Cavinder said on social media that she would be putting on the Hurricanes uniform again. "Given the news yesterday that my sister was returning to play ball at Miami and after careful consideration and thought, I've decided to return to the University of Miami and play with Hanna for our final and 5th year," Haley Cavinder, 23, announced on social media. "There is nothing more important than family and the bond I share with my Twin sister. Being presented with the opportunity to play together one more time is something I cannot pass up. I am excited for this upcoming season and can't wait to play at the U." Haley Cavinder was a three-time All-Mountain West selection at Fresno State. In her one season at Miami, she averaged 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 35 starts. In her college career, she has played in 124 games (122 starts) and has averages of 16.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. --Field Level Media