“Where do you belong?” was the question Dan Hurley asked himself when he weighed the options of coaching one of the NBA’s most illustrious teams against the possibility of trying to lead UConn to a third straight national title on Thursday at UConn’s basketball headquarters.

Hurley and his family found out the answer when he turned down a six-year, $70 million offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers.

“It was obviously tempting,” Hurley said. “The Lakers organization is just incredible

You consider the two locations you are attempting to decide between. You are the head coach of the LA Lakers or UConn, the reigning champions. Few coaches have ever had to decide between those two alternatives for their career.”

Hurley claimed that during his meeting with players upon his return to campus, he discussed with them the opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to UConn.

Then he informed them that he would be returning to mentor them. The lone returning double-digit scorer for the Huskies was present in the room.

“I was ecstatic that he would have the chance. The forward Alex Karaban noted, “He has altered not just my life but the lives of other players as well. “Whether he took it or whether he came back, I was happy for him. When he did come back, I was the happiest guy in the world.

I am happy to be coached by the greatest person in the nation once more, and that is him.

” Hurley may share with players what he sacrificed to remain at UConn when he hits the recruiting path.

“I believe that his decision to decline the Lakers will undoubtedly help him in high school recruiting. That seems unique to me,” Karaban remarked.

That illustrates his character and his level of devotion to UConn. It is their loss if new hires fail to recognize that.”

Hurley refuted the rumor that he flirted with the Lakers in order to pressure UConn into giving him more money.

In an earlier Thursday radio appearance on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz,” he indicated that only a few details remained to be finalized in a deal he had previously agreed to with UConn, which will make him the highest-paid college coach in the country.

It’ll be difficult to win a national championship three times in a row. Despite Karaban’s choice to not enter the NBA Draft, the Huskies have lost four out of their five players who scored in double figures the previous campaign.

Tarris Reed Jr., a transfer from Michigan, and guard Aidan Mahaney, who joined from Saint Mary’s, will support in the post. Liam McNeeley, a freshman, is a top-10 national recruit with immediate potential.

Hurley was pursued by the Lakers after they fired Darvin Ham, who finished with a 90-74 record in two seasons. Los Angeles is still without a coach. After Florida in 2006 and 2007, UConn became the first team to win back-to-back NCAA titles.

After coaching both Gators teams, Billy Donovan spent eight more seasons at Florida until joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA in 2015. He is the Chicago Bulls’ current coach.

Hurley, 51, has a 141-58 record after six seasons at UConn. Over the past three seasons, the Huskies had a 91-21 record.

Hurley was also considered by Kentucky for the coaching position after Hall of Famer John Calipari left the Wildcats for Arkansas after 15 years.