Redemption & Reunion: Archie Goodwin and Kahlil Whitney Join La Familia for TBT 2025

The La Familia roster continues to take shape ahead of the 2025 edition of The Basketball Tournament (TBT), and with each name added, the buzz grows louder across Big Blue Nation. This week, two more former Wildcats Archie Goodwin and Kahlil Whitney have been confirmed as part of the team, setting the stage for a summer of redemption, reunion, and unfinished business in Lexington.

A Tale of Two Wildcats

Archie Goodwin, one of the most explosive athletes to wear Kentucky blue in the early Calipari years, has long been a TBT standout. While his lone season in Lexington didn’t yield NCAA Tournament glory, his professional journey particularly in TBT has been one of persistence and production. Last summer, Goodwin led Eberlein Drive to the semifinals of the TBT, averaging 13.8 points per game and ranking among the top playmakers in the tournament. His ability to attack, create, and compete at a high level has made him a household name in summer hoops circles and now, he’s back to do it for Kentucky.

Kahlil Whitney, on the other hand, brings a more complicated narrative. Nicknamed “The Dragon,” Whitney arrived at Kentucky in 2019 as a top-15 recruit with sky-high expectations. But the flame that burned so brightly in recruiting rankings flickered once he hit the court. He started eight games but left the program midseason, finishing with a 3.3-point scoring average in just 18 appearances. Since then, his path has been winding  through the G League, overseas leagues, and moments of personal reflection. In a recent emotional post, Whitney shared, “I probably just needed a hug… but instead I fell off mentally and had to gain it all back.” This summer may offer more than just basketball  it could be the beginning of his redemption arc.

The La Familia Brotherhood

The return of Whitney and Goodwin isn’t just about stats it’s about belonging. It’s about the power of La Familia a team built not only to win a million dollars but to celebrate the legacy of Kentucky basketball, to heal, to relive, and to reclaim.

With names like Willie Cauley-Stein, Doron Lamb, DeAndre Liggins, the Harrison twins, and newcomer Ansley Almonor joining the cause, La Familia is stacking up to be one of the deepest and most emotionally driven teams in the tournament. Add in the leadership of head coach Sean Woods, himself a Kentucky legend, and you have a roster that blends every era of UK hoops into a single, cohesive mission.

Lexington Ready to Roar

Set to host the Lexington regional at Memorial Coliseum from July 18–22, La Familia’s home-court advantage could prove crucial. They won the regional last year en route to a semifinals appearance and with TBT’s $1 million grand prize on the line again, they’re aiming to go even further. The path to the title continues with the quarterfinals on July 29, semifinals on July 31, and the championship on August 3.

A Summer of Stories

Whether it’s Archie Goodwin seeking revenge against Eberlein Drive who will also compete in Lexington or Kahlil Whitney looking to rewrite his narrative in front of the fans he once left behind, this summer’s TBT promises to be more than just a tournament.

For Big Blue Nation, it’s not just about basketball.
It’s about homecomings, healing, and heroes.
It’s La Familia and it’s personal.

Redemption & Reunion: Archie Goodwin and Kahlil Whitney Join La Familia for TBT 2025