The Kentucky Wildcats got another one.
This time, it is Fairleigh Dickinson forward Ansley Almonor, who averaged 16.4 points per game for the Knights. He will be Pope’s 11th scholarship player for the 2024-25 season.
The 6-foot-7 star is transferring after his third season with FDU, where he has increased his scoring each season and was part of the 16-seeded Knights’ win over 1-seed Purdue in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Almonor will add another deep weapon for Mark Pope as well, making 2.9 triples per game last season. He shot 39.4% from deep as well. Pope is going to have a roster capable of lighting it up from deep, so expect to see the 3s flying in Rupp Arena next season and beyond.
That said, let’s dive into how Twitter viewed the Cats’ latest addition!
BOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!
A 6’7” forward with 3 years of college experience and NCAA Tournament experience
Shooting 40% from 3 on over 7 attempts per game is absurd
Kentucky will have elite shooting up and down the depth chart at forward with Carr, Brea, Noah, and now Almonor https://t.co/OplXIE7arb
— Matt Sak BBN (@MattSakR2NG) May 16, 2024 Kentucky transfers from 3 last season:
Kobe Brea (Dayton): 100 of 201 (49.8%)
Kerr Kriisa (WVU): 61 of 144 (42.4%)
Ansley Almonor (FDU): 93 of 236 (39.4%)
Otega Oweh (Oklahoma): 20 of 53 (37.7%)
Andrew Carr (Wake Forest): 36 of 97 (37.1%)
No shortage of shooting for Pope.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) May 16, 2024 6’7 forward Ansley Almonor has officially committed to Kentucky, per @TiptonEdits.
We talked about it on today’s show – but love this as a depth piece for UK, which now sits at 11 scholarship players.
LOVE the first roster Mark Pope has put togetherhttps://t.co/Uakjx5QF9R
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) May 16, 2024 The list of forwards in college basketball who made more 3’s than Ansley Almonor last season…
Blake Hinson (Pittsburg): 110-261, 42.1%
Kyle Rode (Liberty): 100-258, 38.8%
That’s it.
Ansley Almonor (Fairleigh Dickinson): 93-236, 39.4%
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) May 16, 2024 UK just pulled in a VERY solid shooter @ansleyalmonor is a bucket getter! Now if UK can pull in @Swaggychaz UK would have an extremely efficient offensive team next season. A team that could average 30 3’s attempted a game with a high percentage of makes. Crazy!
— Josh Tucker (@Sorry4Swearin) May 16, 2024 PG – Lamont Butler
SG – Koby Brea
SF – transfer
PF – Andrew Carr
C – Amari Williams
-Otega Oweh
-Kerr Kriisa
-Ansley Almonor
-Brandon Garrison
-Collin Chandler
-freshman
-Travis Perry
-Trent Noah
— Kentucky Update (@ky__update) May 16, 2024 Another good pickup for Mark Pope this morning with the commitment of FDU transfer Ansley Almonor. The All-NEC First Team selection is a versatile 6-foot-7 rising senior who averaged 16.4 PPG with 5.1 RPG, shooting 44% from the floor and 39% from 3-point territory.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) May 16, 2024 Ansley Almonor’s 93 3PFG last season would tie Tony Delk (1995-96) for No. 7 on Kentucky’s single-season list.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) May 16, 2024 Wow. It looked like less than a week ago Almonor was getting set to commit to Siena and this morning this announcement he is heading to Kentucky. Making a huge leap up from the NEC to the SEC. https://t.co/OJIPfbgt40
— Nelson Castillo (@NelCastNY) May 16, 2024 It’s the system that will make Kentucky successful on the offensive end. So many guys that can take and make shots. The pieces fit. But this team also has multiple dudes that will guard you. Solid job by Mark Pope and his staff. https://t.co/lwgLOCiS5V
— Shawn Smith (@_CoachSSmith) May 16, 2024 Kentucky fans wanted to get older.
Well, six of the Wildcats 11 players – Lamont Butler, Amari Williams, Kerr Krissa, Andrew Carr, Koby Brea + now Ansley Almonor – are 5th year seniors.
You wanted it. You got it, Wildcat fans pic.twitter.com/T44tbHPkOF
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) May 16, 2024 Want more A Sea Of Blue coverage? Then follow our Twitter page and like us on Facebook to get all the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views. And Go CATS!