From a viral TikTok post to a heartfelt return to Lexington, Kahlil Whitney’s story is about more than basketball.
Sometimes the best stories don’t begin on the court, but they could start on your phone.
Back in May, Kahlil Whitney opened TikTok, heard a trending audio clip, and posted a message that would end up being more meaningful than even he anticipated. It read: “I probably just needed a hug…” paired with a recent mirror selfie that continued the thought: “But instead I fell off mentally and had to gain it all back!!”
The former Kentucky Wildcat, who once was a top-15 national recruit, a McDonald’s All-American, and a key piece of Kentucky’s star-studded 2019-20 roster, helped by opening his heart, and in that single moment of vulnerability, he pulled back the curtain on the mental health struggles many athletes face in silence.
He captioned the post by saying:
“All I can say is enjoy your journey! Enjoy the ups and down!! Staying on top of your mental health is key. #MentalHealth #RealLife #BlackAthletes #Chicago.”
At the time, there had been no public announcement about Whitney joining La Familia, the Kentucky alumni squad in The Basketball Tournament (TBT). Whitney’s post on TikTok helped to cause emotion for others and helped to create a connection.
He reflected on that now-viral TikTok recently on a podcast on YouTube called Conversations with Chris and Cameron:
“It was definitely just a TikTok I saw, and the sound… it was something kind of like a sad song that was being played,” Whitney says on Conversations with Chris and Cameron. “When I saw it, I figured I would tell my story about the ups and downs and what I’ve been going through, and I figured that the picture would have told a lot without saying too much.”
It led to many people talking about the moment, along with fan reactions. It also helped people remember who Kahlil Whitney was and still is.
As for me, it led to something I’ll never forget.
This Summer, as a media member and host of Conversations with Chris and Cameron podcast, I was fortunate to spend a lot of time around the La Familia team in Lexington. Kahlil not only played well during the TBT run, but he also took time to talk to fans, engage with the media, and just be present. He was happy to be back, and everyone felt it.
What meant the most to me happened after La Familia’s heartbreaking 71-70 loss in the Round of 16 to Eberlein Drive. I was walking from Historic Memorial Coliseum to Chipotle on campus, and I saw Whitney, and without hesitation, he asked me for a ride and gave me one.
Before I go to bed, a huge shoutout to Kahlil Whitney!
I was walking to Chipotle from Memorial Coliseum after La Familia’s tough loss in TBT, and Kahlil saw me and offered a ride! He didn’t have to, but he did.
I’ll never forget that moment. It was awesome seeing Whitney and… pic.twitter.com/DZlKaZMFRk
— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) July 23, 2025
When we had him on our podcast to talk about that moment, his response was simple but sincere:
“I just saw you and I probably met you four or five days prior to that, so it was just me being who I am, just wanted to help you out,” Whitney says on Conversations with Chris and Cameron. “I didn’t know where you were going, I didn’t know how far it was, but I was willing to help at the moment, and you are my guy, so yeah, it was nothing to me.”
It was everything to me.
When we asked him what it meant to return to Lexington and play for La Familia, his answer was filled with gratitude:
“It was a great feeling, a great situation. It was an honor to be able to play for the team first and foremost, but it was a great feeling to come back and play with such a great group of guys and in front of such a great fanbase. Very, very fortunate to have that opportunity.”
In La Familia’s final game, Whitney was a star. He hit a pull-up 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to give Kentucky the lead, and it is a moment he won’t forget anytime soon.
“It felt amazing, bro. Honestly, it was the best feeling that I had as a professional basketball player in a very, very long time. Probably one of the biggest moments of just my basketball career on a personal level. Just knowing my story and just hitting that shot, it was huge for me. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t win the game, but it was a big moment.”
After the loss, Whitney took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted through the pain:
“Wiping these tears away but I just wanna say thank you BBN Y’all will always have a special place in my heart!!”
Wiping these tears away are but I Just wanna say thank you BBN Yall will always have a special place in my heart!!
— Kahlil Whitney (@KahlilWhitney) July 23, 2025
Whitney confirmed on the podcast that he’s already thinking ahead to next summer’s tournament.
“Next year, we are going to win it. If I gotta go out there and take the last five shots, then that is what I just gotta do.”
He even said that he’s recruiting John Wall to suit up for La Familia next year.
As for what his future holds? Whitney said he’s choosing between four different countries to continue his overseas basketball career and is working on a multi-part YouTube documentary series that will show his life from Kentucky to professional hoops and everything in between.
As for Kahlil Whitney, he returned back to Lexington, where he was not just a player, but a man, where he was embraced by fans, showed love in return, and reminded everyone what it means to get back up after falling.
Whitney’s journey wasn’t just about basketball, but it was about heart. It was about healing, and it was about the simple reminder that sometimes, we all just need a hug.