Kerem Kanter will suit up for La Familia again in TBT

La Familia called Enes Kanter‘s brother last summer to join the Kentucky alumni squad in The Basketball Tournament, and he ended up being the team’s most consistent player. Now, Kerem Kanter is back, returning for year two in the blue and white — giving the former Wildcats some necessary star power this summer.

TBT announced Kanter’s return on Thursday after the standout forward averaged 18.4 points on 62.5 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three with 9.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest in the event last year.

DOMINANT BIG MAN KEREM KANTER IS STAYING WITH LA FAMILIA!🫡

The Kentucky alumni are once again ringing Enes’ Brother to hold it down in Lexington💪

See La Familia at home: https://t.co/lzpdoA6C5n pic.twitter.com/huQubppTls
— TBT (@thetournament) June 26, 2025

Kanter was the second-leading scorer in the entire TBT field with 92 total points while also finishing in first in free throws, third in field goals and third in total rebounds. He went for 21 points in the opener against the 305 Ballers, followed by 26 against The Nawf and 20 against Herd That. His only single-digit effort came against The Ville — when Nate Sestina and Willie Cauley-Stein decided to combine for 42 in the 70-61 win. He added 17 in the semifinal loss to Carmen’s Crew in Philadelphia.

“I’m appreciative of them for accepting me as a teammate, as a brother,” Kanter said of his experience with La Familia last summer. “Me coming here and not going to Kentucky, I just want to be aggressive. … Unfortunately my brother didn’t get to play, I didn’t get to play here. But I still appreciate all the fans who embrace me like I’m one of them.”

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The current nine-member roster as things stand today:

Kerem Kanter
Ansley Almonor (2024-25)
Kahlil Whitney (2019–2020)
Aaron Harrison (2013-15)
Andrew Harrison (2013-15)
Willie Cauley-Stein (2012-15)
Archie Goodwin (2012–2013)
Doron Lamb (2010–2012)
DeAndre Liggins (2008–2011)

La Familia is the No. 1 seed in the Lexington Regional, which will take place at Memorial Coliseum July 18-22. Their TBT journey will start against Stroh’s Squad on Friday, July 18, at 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1. If La Familia advances to the second round, they will face the winner of War Ready (Auburn Alumni) and X-Rayted on Sunday, July 20, at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports.

The Lexington Regional championship game is Tuesday, July 22, at 6 p.m. ET on FS2. Tickets for the Lexington Regional are now on sale at TBTHoops.com/tickets.

The winner of the Lexington Regional will play the winner of the Louisville Regional in the quarterfinals on Monday, July 28, at 6 p.m. on FS1. The semifinals and $1 million winner-take-all championship game will be July 31 and Aug. 3.