Nate Sestina will be back in Rupp Arena playing in July.
It was not all that hard for Twany Beckham to convince Nate Sestina to play for LaFamilia, Kentucky’s TBT (The Basketball Tournament) team that will host a regional in Rupp Arena in July.
Sestina transferred to Kentucky from Bucknell in 2019 for his graduate season and averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 28 games that included seven starts. He shot 41 percent from 3-point range.
He’s been playing overseas but will be part of the UK alumni team trying to win the $1 million purse as TBT champion. Beckham is the team’s general manager and Sestina almost said yes immediately to the offer to join the team before realizing he had to double check his schedule and summer commitments.
“I’ve had great conversations with him since I first started. I built a great relationship with him,” Sestina said.
Kellan Grady sent Sestina a text message with the UK roster because Grady was already “locked in” with the team. Sestina soon came on board.
“I was talking with Reed Travis just a little bit on Instagram the other day, and he was like, ‘This is going to be a lot of fun,’” Sestina said on a Zoom call with media members Wednesday. “I think the thing that really, for me, kind of sealed the deal was being able to play in Rupp again.
“I left Rupp on a sour note. That still bothers me. I’m 27 years old now, but I’m really excited. I think that the roster that was put together and obviously with Tyler Ulis joining us (as coach), unbelievable.”
Kentucky finished his one season 25–6, 15–3 in SEC play to win the SEC regular season championship. Kentucky was the No. 1 seed in the SEC tournament but it was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA Tournament was also cancelled due to the pandemic.
Sestina was in Monaco during the playoffs when first contacted by Beckham, also a former UK player, and remembers that first conversation lasting over 30 minutes.
“He understands what it meant for me to play at the University of Kentucky, and the opportunity to play with these guys and represent UK again,” Sestina said. “Then to get to play in Rupp and get involved in the community and all that. That was something that really stuck out to me and something that I’m really excited about.
“So at the end of the day, it was a no-brainer for me and for my family. My family is gonna be coming down to watch and all that. I was really excited. I wanted the opportunity to play, but I didn’t know how it would happen, and the fact that it’s happening like this is a dream come true.”
One Response
I liked the way this guy played