It's no surprise, Willie Cauley-Stein wins TBT Defensive Player of the Year

Willie Cauley-Stein was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the TBT as La Familia reached the Final Four.

La Familia's Willie Cauley-Stein (2) grabs the rebound against The Ville's Montrezl Harrell (5) during their game on Monday, July 29, 2024 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. during the quarter finals of The Basketball Tournament.
La Familia's Willie Cauley-Stein (2) grabs the rebound against The Ville's Montrezl Harrell (5) during their game on Monday, July 29, 2024 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. during the quarter finals of The Basketball Tournament. | Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Despite a tough loss for La Familia in the TBT on Friday night, it wasn't without a great run.

La Familia fell to Carmens Crew -- the eventual champs -- in the Final Four. But, for its inagural season, it was a terrific run.

The first-year Kentucky alumni squad may not have won the $1 million winner-take-all prize, but multiple individual awards followed.

Willie Cauley-Stein -- known for his defensive and rebounding ability -- did not disapoint. The 7-footer won Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Cauley-Stein averaged 10.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.

He finished three of five games with 3+ blocks, including seven against The Nawf in the second round.

His 14 blocks were the most in the tournament and five more than the second most.

This was the first year the Kentucky alumni squad apeared in TBT and because of the success, Twany Beckham was awarded the GM of the Year award.

La Familia teammate Kerem Kanter was named to the All-TBT Team.

This is no surprise to Kentucky fans, however. Cauley-Stein finished his UK career with the second-most blocks in Kentucky program history and set the single-season record as a freshman.

He was named to the All-SEC Defensive team numerous times in his college career as well as winning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year his final year in Lexington.