Alex Poythress throws down dunks again in blue: "Good being back in Lex!"

Alex Poythress is almost a decade removed from his time at Kentucky, carving out a successful NBA career with stops in Philadelphia, Indiana and Atlanta before winning multiple championships overseas from 2019 on — still grinding with Zenit Saint Petersburg after re-signing with the Russian VTB United League team, now in his second stint (2020-22, 2024-26).

He returned to Lexington this time last year to support his former Kentucky teammates suiting up for La Familia in The Basketball Tournament.

Poythress and Willie. It’s a vibe. pic.twitter.com/8pKBrO7uX3

— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) July 21, 2024

Then he celebrated the team’s big rivalry win over The Ville — familiar territory for Poythress after a handful of head-to-head matchups as a Wildcat himself.

Go Big Blue. #LaFamilia

— Alex Poythress (@AlexTheGreat22) July 30, 2024

He couldn’t suit up for La Familia officially this summer after re-upping with Zenit BC and being on dad duty, but Alex The Great did return on a one-time basis for the Champions Charity Game this weekend — and it was something special seeing him in Kentucky blue and white again.

Like he’s done a million times, Poythress threw down dunks and made plays in the pre-La Familia event at Tates Creek High School alongside plenty of friendly faces and fan favorites. He was joined by the likes of Andrew and Aaron Harrison, DeAndre Liggins, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller, Julius Mays, Ansley Almonor, Dominique Hawkins and Jarrod Polson in the event.

“Good being back in Lex!” Poythress said on social media, responding to a video of one of his rim-rattling slams in the charity scrimmage.

Good being back in Lex! 💙 https://t.co/mEgWbN6juX

— Alex Poythress (@AlexTheGreat22) July 13, 2025

There is something special about hearing his name introduced in a starting lineup in front of BBN again, Poythress giving a quick salute and clap in response to the roar from the fanbase.

Starting lineups announced for the two different teams, some names you may remember in it:

– Alex Poythress
– Julius Mays
– Tod Lanter
– Jon Hood
– Ansley Almonor
-Andrew Harrison
– Aaron Harrison
– DeAndre Liggins
– Doron Lamb

And others! #BBN pic.twitter.com/cSBVRJaf1F

— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) July 12, 2025

When Poythress returned to Lexington last summer, it was the first time he had been back in a half-decade. He showed up to support former teammates in the Harrison Twins, Willie Cauley-Stein, James Young and Tyler Ulis — who coached the squad last year.

“We were watching the games and I told them — I live in Nashville in the offseason now — so I’m like if they win I’ll come and support,” Poythress told KSR at the time. “It looks like they’re having fun. … It’s a nostalgic feeling. It’s good to see everybody having fun and just being out here again.”

Things were far different then than they were when he was on campus as a student-athlete.

“It looks a little bit nicer. We didn’t have all these upgrades they got now,” he continued. “Everything is just getting nicer and nicer, so I’m happy for everybody.”

As for the future of Kentucky basketball with Coach Cal out and Mark Pope in, Poythress was confident at the time the program was ‘in good hands’ — no idea how the year would go at the time.

“I think he’ll do great things, you know what I mean? They gave him the keys to the program, he’s an ex-Kentucky guy, so he knows what it takes to jumpstart to the next level. They’re in good hands,” he told KSR. “Pope is the right dude to lead into the next direction. I think he’s got the right mindset, I think he’s got the right energy, and Kentucky basketball is still Kentucky basketball.”

He certainly nailed that scouting report.

You’re always welcome in Lexington, No. 22.