NATE SESTINA KENTUCKY GRAD TRANSFERS “Path to Kentucky”

 If Kentucky fans have heard any of the interviews with Nate Sesttina, or saw the performance he put on at  the Kentucky Pro
Day aired on ESPN, you can see how this young man is going to be a valuable addition to the 2019-20 Kentucky
basketball squad, in the locker room and on the court.  

Nate Sestina was one of the top rated grad assistant players available for this year. When Sestina  announced on Twitter
he was going to Kentucky many fans knew nothing or very little about him.

On Twitter Nate Sestina said. “I’m humbled to get started with @KentuckyMBB! Need to thank God, my family,
my coaches, teammates and @UKCoachCalipari #BBN.”

Last year the 6-foot-9 forward and center was second-team All-Patriot League and was second on the
team in scoring with 15.8 points per game. He led the team in rebounding
with 8.5 per game.  Sestina’s minutes and productivity increased compared to the previous
season after being named a starter for all 31 games for Bucknell in the 2018-19 season. Bucknell
finished with a 21-12 record but lost to Colgate in the Patriot League Championship. One thing
for sure,

Sestina can shoot

NATE SESTINA’S PATH TO KENTUCKY

HIGH SCHOOL/PERSONAL
Full name is Nathan Michael Sestina 

Nate was born May 12, 1997 in St. Mary’s, Pa. to parents Donald and Rachelle Sestina. 
Nate is the youngest of five siblings (Jennifer, Jason, Kristin, Andrew) Andrew played 
basketball at Allegheny College. His mother was a swimmer at IUP. Nate's grandfather, 
Richard Gaydos, played football at Carnegie Tech. Nick was a four-year basketball letterman 
at Cameron County High School the first Division I player from Cameron County since the 
1970s. He averaged 22 points and 14 rebounds per game and had 26 double-doubles in 28 games 
as a senior, when he earned first team all-state , all-district and all-league honors.

Nate was Big 30 and North Tier Player of the Year, District 9 Co-Player of the Year, & 
named MVP of the Big 30 and District 9 All-Star Games. He had 28 points and 22 rebounds in 
the Big 30 game and 39 points and 17 rebounds in the D9 game leading his team to two straight 
league titles. As a senior his team was District 9 runner-up and a Sweet Sixteen participant 
in the state playoffs & won a game in the state tournament for the first time since 1972.

Nate finished his high school career with 1,703 career points and 955 rebounds. He broke his 
sister Kristin’s school rebounding record. He also played AAU basketball at a national level.

He averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds for Basketball Stars of America the summer before signing
with Bucknell. Nick Sestina is a Geography major & member of 2019 Patriot League Academic 
Honor Roll.

Nate Sestina’s Bucknell Career

2015-16
Nate Sestina had his rookie season end prematurely due to a shoulder injury just as he 
was working his way into the rotation. He played in 4 games, with the last coming against 
Navy on Dec. 30 when he suffered the season-ending injury. Nick saw 7 min. of action on 
opening night vs. Shenandoah and recorded 2 pts., 2 reb., 2 asst.  Nick hit his first career 
3 point against Princeton. He had a breakout game vs. Fairfield with 10 pts. 
(4-5 FG, 1-1 3FG, 1-1 FT), 2 steals in 16 minutes. Nick Sestina played 6 min. vs. Navy the 
next time out and went down with the injury.


2016-17
After missing most of his rookie year with an injury, became a vital member of the front
court rotation. He played in 31 games off the bench, averaging 4.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 
He shot 50.8 field goal percentage with a 29% 3 point percentage, he played double diget
minutes in 22 games.  He scored his season high, 22 points at Siena. Nick ranked 12th in 
Patriot League in blocked shots for the year. He was the first sub off the bench on opening 
night vs. Manhattan and logged and ended with 10 points.  (3-6 FG, 4-4 FT), 4 reb. in 15 min.
Nick had a career-high 9 rebouds at Siena ... made all 4 FGA and had 8 pts. in just 7 minutes.
Nick played an important role in the Bucknell final win over the year with Lehigh, scoring 
8 pts. (4-6 FG) in 11 min.


                                            PRESERVE YOUR BEST RUPP MEMORY
                                              with this UK Photo Frame

2017-18
Nick enjoyed a productive junior year, particularly in the postseason . He  played in 34 games, 
missing one due to injury. Nate averaged 6.5 points a game, 3.9 rebounds, in 14.9 minutes per game.
He shot 56.0 FG%, 34% from the 3-Point line.  He had a strong second half and finished with 7 points,
& 6 rebounds at North Carolina. Nate put Bucknell on his shouldners, scoring all 7 points in a 
seven-minute span in the second half to keep the Bison close.  

Nate had a huge game at home vs. Boston University with 14 points. (6-8 FG), 8 rebounds. In a win over 
Loyola Nate with career-high 18 points (7-9 FG, 2-3 3 point goals, 4 rebounds and 3 blocked shouts in
Nate was one of the stars of the PL championship game vs. Colgate, finishing with 16 points (7-9 FG, 
1-2 3-point goals  1-1 FT), 4 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. In a NCAA Tournament game vs. Michigan State 
in 4 postseason games, made 14-19 FG (.737) and totaled 32 points & 20 rebounds.

Kentucky fans got their first look at the 2019-2020 Kentucky Wildcats during 
Sunday’s Pro Day event in Lexington.

Sestina, showcased his ability to stretch the floor and shoot the basketball. 
During one shooting session, the 6-foot-9, 234-pound senior knocked down 
20-of-24 three-point attempts. He shot 38-percent from three-point range for 
Bucknell last season.  

Nate Sestina Conclusion

He is a shooter with a great attitude and will be a nice addition to this 
years Kentucky Team both in the locker room and on the court.