The forthcoming Basketball Tournament is an event that has been highly anticipated, particularly by fans of Kentucky basketball, who have much to look forward to. This summer, alumni teams from Kentucky, Louisville, and Bellarmine will be competing in the tournament, making it a highly anticipated event for the Bluegrass State.
The Basketball Tournament, for those unfamiliar, is a single-elimination, winner-take-all event featuring a total of 64 teams. The victorious team will receive a grand prize of $1 million. The tournament will commence on July 19 and conclude on August 4, with the championship game scheduled to be held in Philadelphia.
The Kentucky alumni team, La Familia, has garnered significant attention from fans. The team’s name pays tribute to Coach John Calipari, who led the Wildcats for an illustrious 15 seasons from 2009 to 2024. This homage is a fitting recognition of a coach who has left a lasting impact on the Kentucky basketball program. Notably, Calipari is currently at the helm of the Arkansas team.
The Kentucky TBT roster includes several former UK players, including Eric Bledsoe, Willie Cauley-Stein, Kellan Grady, Doron Lamb, Daniel Orton, Nate Sestina, Marquis Teague, Reid Travis, and James Young, among others. This esteemed roster promises to bring a high level of competition to the tournament.
In terms of coaching, former Kentucky star Tyler Ulis will assume the role of La Familia’s head coach, accompanied by former Wildcats Jon Hood and Darius Miller as assistant coaches. Additionally, Louisville native and former Moore High standout, Jazz Ferguson, will also serve as an assistant coach.
Beyond the coaches and players, former Kentucky players Twany Beckham and Sam Malone will have important roles as La Familia’s general managers. With such a strong team of players and coaches, the Kentucky alumni team is undoubtedly one to watch in the tournament.
The Lexington division of The Basketball Tournament will feature participation from other notable squads such as 305 Ballers, D2 Waymakers, Herd That (A Marshall alumni team), Jackson TN Boom, The Nawf, War Ready (An Auburn alumni team), and WoCo Showtime (A Wofford alumni team), promising an exciting and competitive tournament for all basketball enthusiasts.
During this period of excitement, fans are receiving all the updates they require from Kentucky basketball and football reporter Ryan Black, who can be contacted at [email protected], or followed on X at @RyanABlack.
The anticipation for the tournament is undoubtedly intensifying, and basketball enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the performance of the Kentucky alumni team in their TBT debut. With a stellar roster and a lineup of former players, La Familia is prepared to take on the competition and make an indelible mark on The Basketball Tournament.