Enes Kanter will finally play in Rupp Arena.

With the creation of the Big Blue All Stars vs. Villains exhibition game on Oct. 24, former UK players, including Kanter, and former “Villains” will take the court again.

The biggest name is Kanter, who was a late addition to the Big Blue All Stars rosters, according to event organizer Jeff Sheppard.

“(That’s) as good as we could do,” Sheppard said. “We’re super excited to have him on our team.”

Other names tentatively included on the Big Blue All Stars are DeMarcus Cousins, Tayshaun Prince, Rajon Rondo, John Wall, Chuck Hayes, Jodie Meeks, Nazr Mohammed and others. Rosters have not been finalized, according to Sheppard.

Former Duke player Christian Laettner will coach the Villains team. Sheppard said he called Duke’s athletics office to try and contact Laettner. They said the message would be passed along. Two hours later, Laettner called Sheppard and said he would love to be the “main” villain.

“Laettner has been a great sport,” Sheppard said. “I still don’t like him.”

Laettner, who hit the game-winning shot in the 1992 NCAA Tournament, said he understands why UK fans regard him with “utter resentment and disdain,” but says he “never has and never will” hold any animosity toward UK fans.

“I was a huge UK fan when Rex Chapman played for them,” Laettner said. “And then I ended up hitting that shot and everything changed.”

The Villains roster tentatively includes Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina), Rudy Gay (Connecticut), Terrence Williams (Louisville), Eric Gordon (Indiana), Nolan Smith (Duke), Kenneth Faried (Morehead State), Shelvin Mack (Butler) and Zach Randolph (Michigan State).

Sheppard said Joakim Noah (Florida) is a target.

“I’m still working on him,” Sheppard said. “We’d love to have him be a part of the game. He’s obviously a recent villain that’s given us fits.”

The game will be four quarters, each 12 minutes in length.

Should the NBA lockout end before Oct. 24, Sheppard said the game wouldn’t happen. He has brought that up to players and coaches, but doesn’t anticipate any league action preventing the game.

Tickets for the game will go on presale tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.

VIDEO: Sheppard announces the tentative rosters and discusses the game

VIDEO: More of Sheppard discussing the team.

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