When Nate Sestina transferred from Bucknell to the Kentucky Wildcats in 2019, things may not have gone quite as he had hoped.
Although he played well in the 2019-20 season, averaging just under six points per game and making over 40% of his three-point shots, if you asked him, he would probably say his performance was not up to his full potential. His postseason dreams were also dashed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Big Blue Nation and the rest of the country got to see Sestina’s abilities firsthand during La Familia’s run in the TBT, especially in the win over in-state rivals The Ville, when the former Cat went all out with six-out-of-three shots to score 22 points.
It was incredible to watch Sestina throw punch after punch without his opponent knowing how to stop him.
While watching TBT, it was obvious that Nate Sestina was having a blast and was clearly motivated to play his best basketball in front of the Kentucky fans.
I attended the TBT games in Lexington and in speaking to people associated with the La Familia team, the prevailing opinion was that Sestina gave her all in the practice games and at training.
Unfortunately, La Familia lost to Carmen’s Crew in the Final Four and Sestina missed that game for unknown reasons. Still, it didn’t take away from the fun of watching Sestina and other former Cats get the chance to play for the BBN again.
With that in mind, let’s take a look back at some of Nate Sestina’s best moments as the Wildcat.
The Pennsylvania native’s highest-scoring game in the UK was the CBS Sports Classic against Ohio State. Sestina scored 17 points, including five three-pointers, in Kentucky’s 71-65 loss to the Buckeyes. Those five three-pointers on just eight attempts gave the Cats a chance, but it wasn’t enough that afternoon. The 32 minutes he played was one of Sestina’s highest performances of the season; he only played more (34) in a win over Utah Valley in early November.
Sestina also had a big game on February 29, Leap Day, against 15th-ranked Auburn at Rupp Arena. He made 4 of 6 field shots, including two 3s, and scored 11 points in a big 73-66 win over Bruce Pearl and the Tigers.
What makes the game even more special is the fact that it was Kentucky Basketball’s last ever championship, as it secured the SEC regular season title for the Cats.
Just one week later, on March 7, 2020, Sestina scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds, including a season-high five offensive rebounds, to help the Cats to a narrow 71-70 win over Florida.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic robbed Sestina and his teammates of the opportunity to play in the postseason. That was a major downer considering the team played so well late in the season and Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley were ready to give it their all during March Madness.
Sestina obviously chose UK for a chance at a postseason berth, so it was heartbreaking to see that opportunity taken away from him and his teammates. It was all the more fulfilling to see Sestina shine at TBT and help his team reach the Final Four.
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