(TBT Photos)
Fans were asking for autographs/pictures an hour before tipoff and chanting “CATS, CATS, CATS” as well as “Go Big Blue” during the game. Players from Kentucky coach Mark Pope’s first UK team arrived in Rupp Arena before the game started to see players some might have watched play as youngsters.
La Familia, Kentucky basketball’s alumni team, had a big start to The Basketball Tournament in Rupp Arena Friday night with an 82-56 win over 305 Ballers. La Familia took control early and outscored the Ballers in every quarter.
The UK team had five players in double figures but the leading scorer was a non-Cat — Kerem Kanter. Of course, he’s the younger brother of Enes Kanter who the NCAA never ruled eligible to play during his one year at UK which seems even more ridiculous now with the NIL scene and money going to players.
Kerem Kanter finished his career at Xavier and had 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting and 9-for-11 at the foul line. He also had 12 rebounds, something La Familia needed with former UK big man Daniel Orton unable to play due to a knee injury suffered in practice.
Former UK guards Eric Bledsoe (4-for-11) and Aaron Harrison (4-for-11) both had 13 points while Nate Sestina, who made just two of 10 3-pointers, had 12 points and Andrew Harrison, who was 7-for-10 at the foul line, had 11.
La Familia was just 10 of 32 from 3 but did go 22 of 32 at the foul line.
Willie Cauley-Stein was perhaps the most popular ex-UK player and he had five points — he only took three shots — along with six rebounds, three blocks and one assist.
Bledsoe had five assists while Andrew Harrison had three steals.
La Familia will continue its quest to win the $1 million purse in the single-elimination event when it faces NAWF at 2 p.m. Sunday in Rupp Arena.
One Response
Loved watching these guys play again at Rupp.