Summer basketball in Lexington is just different. You’ve got the humidity, the smell of bourbon in the air, and a fan base that genuinely treats a mid-July alumni tournament like it’s the second coming of the 1996 title team. This year, the hype around the Kentucky Wildcats TBT La Familia additions has reached a fever pitch. After a heartbreaking exit last year at the hands of Carmen’s Crew, the Blue Blood alumni are back, and they aren’t just bringing back the old guard. They’ve retooled with a mix of national champions, defensive stoppers, and a few "what if" names that make this roster one of the most intriguing in the history of The Basketball Tournament.
Honestly, the chemistry of an alumni team is a fragile thing. You can’t just throw five guys who played in the NBA on the court and expect them to beat a group of overseas pros who have been playing together for six years. La Familia learned that the hard way last season. This time around, GM Twany Beckham and Head Coach Sean Woods have gone for a specific blend of veteran leadership and young legs.
The Big Names Joining the Fray
The headline for the 2025-2026 cycle is undoubtedly the return of Doron Lamb and DeAndre Liggins. If you’re a Kentucky fan, these names carry weight. Lamb was the silent assassin on the 2012 championship team. He just didn't miss. Seeing him back in a Kentucky-related jersey at Memorial Coliseum is going to be a nostalgia trip for anyone who remembers his legendary performance in New Orleans.
Liggins, on the other hand, brings that "grit." He’s the guy you hate to play against but love to have on your side. Even though he’s been out of Lexington for a while, his defensive instincts haven't gone anywhere. Pairing him with Willie Cauley-Stein, who returns as the reigning TBT Defensive Player of the Year, creates a defensive ceiling that most TBT teams simply cannot touch.
A Surprising Redemption Arc?
The addition of Kahlil Whitney raised some eyebrows. "The Dragon" was a five-star recruit who had a famously rocky, short-lived tenure under John Calipari back in 2019-20. He left mid-season, and for a long time, he was a name Kentucky fans only mentioned when talking about recruiting busts. But TBT is the land of second chances. Whitney has been grinding in the G League and international circuits. He’s older, stronger, and most importantly, he seems to have found his mental rhythm again.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
Bridging the Gap: The Mark Pope Connection
What makes the Kentucky Wildcats TBT La Familia additions feel so current is the inclusion of Ansley Almonor. It’s a bit of a bridge between the Calipari era and the new Mark Pope regime. Almonor played for Pope during that transition year, and his inclusion on the roster shows that "La Familia" isn't just a catchy name for Cal’s former players—it’s about the program as a whole.
Almonor brings a modern skill set. He’s a "stretch four" who can actually hit the three at a high clip (42.4% last year). In a tournament like TBT, where the Elam Ending makes every possession feel like a heart attack, having a big man who can space the floor is basically a cheat code.
The Full Roster Breakdown
To understand why people are picking this team to win the $1 million prize, you have to look at the depth. It's not just the new guys.
- The Harrison Twins: Aaron and Andrew are back. They are the heartbeat of this team. They know how to win in March (and July).
- Archie Goodwin: A high-flyer who can still get to the rim whenever he wants.
- Kerem Kanter: He’s the "ringer." Not a former Wildcat himself (his brother Enes was), but he was the team's MVP last year. He averaged over 18 points and 9 rebounds.
- The Newcomers: Along with Lamb, Liggins, and Whitney, the team added DJ Burns (the Murray State/Youngstown State version, not the NC State one) and Marques Warrick, a Lexington native and NKU legend.
Why This Mix Actually Works
Most TBT teams fail because they are too top-heavy. They have three stars and then a massive drop-off. La Familia doesn't have that problem. If Aaron Harrison is having an off night, you've got Doron Lamb waiting on the wing. If Willie Cauley-Stein gets into foul trouble, you've got Kerem Kanter or Ansley Almonor to hold down the paint.
🔗 Read more: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
The coaching staff is also a major factor. Sean Woods is a winner. He’s one of the "Unforgettables." He understands the pressure of playing in Lexington. Having Wayne Turner—who has more championship rings than he has fingers to put them on—as an assistant coach adds a level of "we've been here before" that you can't fake.
The Memorial Coliseum Advantage
Playing the regional at Historic Memorial Coliseum is a massive boost. Rupp Arena is great, but Memorial is loud. It’s tight. It’s intimidating. The fans are right on top of you. For these alumni, returning to that specific floor is going to be emotional.
Real-World Stakes: The $1 Million Prize
At the end of the day, this isn't just a charity game. There is a million dollars on the line. These guys are professionals who play all over the world—Iraq, Italy, China, Mexico—and this is their chance to come home and get paid for it. The Kentucky Wildcats TBT La Familia additions were made with one goal: finishing what they started last year.
Last year’s semifinal loss to Carmen’s Crew left a bitter taste. The team felt they were the better squad but got out-executed in the final minutes. By adding veteran winners like Doron Lamb and versatile scorers like Almonor, they've addressed the scoring droughts that killed them in Philadelphia.
💡 You might also like: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on following the run, here is what you actually need to do to keep up.
- Watch the Elam Ending: Remember, the clock turns off with 4 minutes left. The first team to reach the target score wins. This is where Aaron Harrison’s "clutch gene" usually kicks in.
- Check the Schedule: The Lexington Regional typically runs in mid-to-late July. Tickets sell out fast because the capacity at Memorial is lower than Rupp.
- Follow the GM: Twany Beckham is very active on social media. If there are late-breaking roster changes or injury updates, he's the first to post them.
- Support the NIL: A portion of the ticket sales and merchandise for La Familia often goes back into the current Kentucky basketball NIL funds, so buying a jersey actually helps the current team too.
The tournament is a grind. Six games in a couple of weeks is tough on guys in their 30s. But with this depth, La Familia is the deepest they have ever been. They have the shooters, they have the rim protectors, and they finally have the veteran leadership to navigate the high-pressure moments of the Elam Ending. This isn't just a reunion tour; it's a mission.
Final Roster Check:
- Aaron Harrison
- Andrew Harrison
- Willie Cauley-Stein
- Doron Lamb
- DeAndre Liggins
- Archie Goodwin
- Kahlil Whitney
- Ansley Almonor
- Kerem Kanter
- DJ Burns
- Marques Warrick
Next, you might want to look into the specific bracket matchups for the Lexington Regional to see which rival alumni teams are standing in the way of a potential rematch with Louisville's "The Ville" in the later rounds.