Official: Kentucky sign in a shooting star, instills a “fearless” competitiveness.
Ansley Almonor made his official commitment to Kentucky this week by signing on Friday.
As of this week, there were still a few unfilled scholarships for Kentucky, but Mark Pope had a complete plan on how he was going to fill them. When Fairleigh Dickinson forward Ansley Almonor committed to Kentucky on Thursday morning, he was able to cross one item off his list.
Almonor, who played for FDU last year, averaged 16.4 points and shot 39.4% from three point range. He now plays for Kentucky.
He tied the record for the most 3-pointers made in a single season at FDU with 93.
To put it bluntly, Kentucky needed a guy with Almonor’s kind of floor stretching commitment. Take a look at Kentucky assistant coach Cody Fueger’s remarks from this week, in which he stated that the Wildcats “want to take 35 3s a game this year.”
In his three seasons at FDU, Almonor, a career 38.5 percent three-point shooter, has made 180 field goals. During his two years as a full-time starter, he has averaged 2.5 made 3-pointers per game and made 168 3-pointers in total.
Pope stated on Friday that Ansley is “one of the best shooting mid-major bigs out there and he is a tremendous mover without the basketball.” “He has excellent leadership abilities and is a fearless competitor. Ansley, a finance major, hails from a remarkable Haitian family. He brings a wealth of experience and a ton of college basketball experience to our team.
If Almonor plays the small-ball four, the 6-foot-7, 219-pound player is a nightmare for opposing forwards to match up with. Beyond his shooting prowess, he also possesses the ability to put the ball in play.
Ultimately, though, his shooting will be what will provide him minutes. He has played in 32 games with at least three made threes in a game in only the last two years.
Almonor will be next to Koby Brea, Kerr Kriisa, and, to a lesser extent, Otega Oweh, so Kentucky will have a formidable lineup that can score from three positions.
Over the course of three seasons, Almonor has made 92 appearances and 69 starts.
His toughness, competitive nature, seasoned perspective, and motor will be a great asset to Mark Pope’s already impressive team.
Eight transfers have been made by Kentucky since his pledge.
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UNC, Louisville emerge as teams to ‘keep an eye on’ for Kentucky transfer center Ugonna Onyenso
An update in the recruitment of the former Kentucky big man.
North Carolina and Louisville are considered “top options” for Kentucky big man Ugonna Onyenso in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein. Onyenso, the second-best center remaining in the transfer portal, is testing NBA Draft waters but likely has a higher earning potential in college basketball next season.
“When Ugonna Onyenso declared for the draft, most people thought that decision was a little premature,” Finkelstein stated. “Now, it appears that playing college basketball will greatly increase his earning potential. More is still needed in North Carolina. They have not yet discovered Armando Bacot’s replacement despite their search. They are regarded as some of his best choices.”
Finkelstein reports that Pat Kelsey, the new head coach of Louisville, has been using the transfer portal since assuming the position and is hoping to bolster the team’s rim protection unit. Alabama was also considered, but since they signed Cliff Omoruyi from Rutgers, they are not seen as a danger.
“Louisville is another program that is considered among his top options,” Finkelstein stated. Pat Kelsey has made a number of noteworthy choices. Rim protection is still needed by him and the Cardinals. Alabama was considered, but I’m sure it’s no longer an option now that they’ve signed Cliff Omoruyi. For Onyenso moving ahead, keep an eye on Louisville and North Carolina.”
This offseason, Onyenso is ranked as the No. 29 center and 180th overall prospect on the transfer portal. After Baba Miller of Florida State, he is the second-rated center currently available. In his sophomore campaign, the 7-footer averaged 3.6 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 58.8% from the free-throw line and 55.0% from the field. In 2023–24, Onyenso was one of the top shot blockers in college basketball. His average of 2.75 blocks per game ranked third in Division I and fifth in Kentucky history.
Onyenso stated this week, “Hopefully the feedback I receive will help me stay in the league.” For me, it’s a journey of learning. I will stay if all goes according to plan. If not, I’ll return to school and work on improving. If there’s any encouragement to stay, I will stay. I’m not currently speaking with any schools. I’ll let my uncle take care of things for me. I’m currently fully committed to this process and giving it my all. They are not conversing with me. My uncle is being spoken to by them.
Due to a foot fracture, Onyenso was unable to play in Kentucky’s first eight regular-season games. He made his debut for the team in the CBS Sports Classic versus UNC. He contributed one point, one rebound, one assist, and three blocks in his ten minutes of action off the bench. Onyenso was promoted to the starting center position for the rest of the season by John Calipari following his impressive six-point, four-rebound, and three-block performance against Arkansas on January 27.
