La Familia adds a former All-SEC defender to Kentucky's knockout alumni roster

The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is back once again this summer to spell the anticipation of college basketball fans across the nation. Few, however, have taken to their alumni teams like the Big Blue Nation, who have routinely packed out Historic Memorial Coliseum in support of former Wildcats.

This year's La Familia squad was already impressive ahead of their July 18 debut against The Ville, but in the lead-up to that rivalry duel, the team just secured a returning lockdown defender that is sure to lower the ceiling of their Cardinal opponents. DeAndre Liggins is officially back.

TBT announced the return of Liggins to La Familia on social media as yet another means to draw excitement to another iteration of the historic Cats vs. Cards duel. This summer specifically, the two teams are pitted in a three-game series that could see the tiebreaker come back to Lexington.

While the likes of Willie Cauley-Stein and Quade Green had already done enough to rile up the folks on the big blue end of this ordeal, Liggins specifically brings both experience in this league and, again, the sort of defensive edge that can still change games on a dime.

Even at 38 years old, the former All-SEC defender is not to be trifled with.

Liggins Brings Defensive Expertise to La Familia

Liggins' ability to nab at least a steal per contest peaked in his final year with the Wildcats in 2010-11, but even when the wing wasn't taking the ball, his textbook ability to block driving lanes and stay in front of playmakers made a world of difference throughout his three years in Lexington.

Oh, and let's not forget his clutch corner three with under a minute to go in the 2011 Elite Eight. That bucket ultimately buried the North Carolina Tar Heels and came right on the heels (pun absolutely intended) of a big block from Liggins on the other end.

That classic clip of Coach Calipari bringing Liggins in for a hug on the sidelines comes from this very game. It's Kentucky iconography for the ages, and the guy who painted that picture is back in the blue and white once more.

Beating Louisville (Again)

Now, all that's left to do for La Familia (barring any additional pickups) is to beat Louisville... again. You don't have to search far for a Kentucky player that knows what it's like to topple the Cardinals on the court; just two years ago, La Familia beat The Ville in a traditionally heated brawl.

It's time to run that back. With the team reporting to Lexington this weekend to begin preparation, the basketball capitol of the world is set to begin buzzing for the first time since March.

Kentucky Basketball in the dead heat of summer is impossible to resist, especially when the guys in red are coming to town.

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