Tag: Ansley Almonor

Former Fairleigh Dickinson forward Ansley Almonor visted Kentucky basketball early in the week. Coach Mark Pope has a few roster spots still available and was looking for a solid frontcourt player who can come off the bench. Almonor didn’t take long to commit to taking that role.

On Thursday, the 6’7″, 220 lb power forward chose to join the Kentucky Wildcats for the 2024-25 season. On3’s Joe Tipton posted the news on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Almonor seems to be a great fit for Pope’s offense, and what Kentucky wants to do on offense. He averaged over 16 points per game last year, but likely won’t be asked to score that much for the Wildcats. However, his 39% three-point shooting will be a scheme match when Kentucky goes with a smaller line-up.

The Wildcats roster has a number of quality three-point shooters on it, and Almonor brings more of that. Assistant coach Cody Fueger has said Kentucky wants to shoot a lot of threes. Having forwards capable to stretching the defense will make that much easier.

New Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope still has a few roster spots to fill for next season, and he recently had forward Ansley Almonor in for a visit. Now 247sports has made a crystal ball prediction in favor of the Wildcats landing the former Fairleigh Dickinson star.

Almonor averaged over 16 points and 5 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season with Fairleigh Dickinson. Perhaps just as importantly as his ability to score, is his ability to shoot beyond the arc. He made 39% of his three-point attempts last season.

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Kentucky could use another frontcourt player who can score off the bench, and one who, like transfer Andrew Carr, and spread the floor with his shooting touch. Almonor has that ability.

The power forward visited with Pope and Kentucky very recently, and things seemingly went well. He is now predicted to join the Cats for the 2024-25 season, which will be his final year of eligibility. It would be another solid pick-up for the Kentucky staff as he rebuilds the roster.

Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope has been working on recruiting for the 2025 season, but he hasn’t forgotten about the 2024 roster either. With a few roster spaces still available, he has scheduled a visit with forward Ansley Almonor, per On3’s Jacob Polacheck.

Almonor spent the past three seasons with Farleigh Dickinson, where he developed into a very good player. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. His most famous moment was as a part of the 16th seeded team that upset number one seed Purdue in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

At 6’7″ and 220 lbs, Almonor is a big, strong power forward who has the muscle to play inside. However, he also shoots the ball very well and can create mismatches on offense. He made 34% of his three-point attempts last season.

Pope is likely looking for another frontcourt player who can give them minutes and provide depth. Almonor can certainly do that, and his ability to force defenders out into space could be invaluable.