Ansley Almonor’s path from Fairleigh Dickinson to the University of Kentucky was fueled by hard work, faith, and a relentless mindset.
The senior forward, averaging 5.6 points and 1.7 rebounds, has embraced his role off the bench while chasing championship aspirations.
“You know, I went out there and worked the hardest every day,” Almonor told NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. “I went to three different coaches at Fairleigh Dickinson, but I just trusted the process.”
His journey led him to one of college basketball’s most storied programs, where he takes pride in wearing the Wildcats jersey.
“For me, it means a lot to represent everybody who came through here and anyone who supports this team,” Almonor said.
The game has always been about inspiration for Almonor, and when asked about his basketball influences, one name stood out.
“Uh, I mean, I was a big Kobe fan,” he said. “I’m a big Carmelo Anthony fan, big-time Carmelo fan, probably my favorite player.”
Almonor grew up idolizing Bryant, watching him dominate the league and shape the game.
“He was all over TVs, winning championships, the All-Star games—he was the face of the league then,” he said.
For Almonor, Bryant’s legacy is something that can never be replaced.
“The footprint he left on the game, you can’t really replace that,” he said. “I definitely have so much admiration and appreciation for Kobe.”
As Kentucky prepares for March Madness, Almonor is focused on making a deep tournament run.
“You know, but being at Kentucky, that’s like the expectation over here,” he said. “That’s not even scratching the surface of what we really want to do.”
This will be Almonor’s second trip to the NCAA Tournament, after previously making it with Fairleigh Dickinson.
“That was a surreal experience, just a whole bunch of hard-nosed kids, the smallest team in the country, playing for each other,” he recalled.
Despite limited interaction with Kentucky’s NBA alumni during the season, Almonor appreciates the support from afar.
“We see Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Tyler Herro showing love on social media,” he said.
His biggest inspiration, however, has always been closer to home.
“My brother inspired me,” Almonor said. “Watching him growing up always motivated me, wanting to be better than him.”
With NBA aspirations in mind, Almonor is focused on showcasing his work ethic, IQ, and shooting ability at the highest level.
“I feel like I could bring that to the team and help them immediately,” he said.
When he needs motivation, there’s one player he always turns to.
“I go watch a lot of Carmelo Anthony,” Almonor said. “He gets me in the right mindset, especially on the Knicks.”
From Fairleigh Dickinson to Kentucky, and with dreams of the NBA ahead, Almonor’s journey is far from over.
