Ansley Almonor prepares for 'emotional' goodbye to Kentucky: "If you have this opportunity, I would take it."

Ansley Almonor took a trip down memory lane ahead of his Senior Day at Kentucky, trying to explain what the last ten months have been like since transferring from Fairleigh Dickinson for his final season of college basketball. He went from playing in the Northeast Conference to making the jump to the SEC, suiting up for the winningest program in the sport’s history.

Committing in May, arriving in June and introduced at Big Blue Madness in October, he’s now preparing for his final game at Rupp Arena — a run that came and went in what felt like the snap of his fingers.

“It’s like a whirlwind, like a blur. From June when we got here, it just feels like it’s been like that,” he said, adding a snap. “It’s crazy that we’re already in March now and it’s what we’ve been working for this whole time. It’s just been a great experience.”

Almonor will be joined by his parents, uncle, brother, sister and sister-in-law as he bursts through the paper hoop prior to Kentucky’s final home game of the season vs. LSU on Tuesday. For now, his focus is on preparing for the Tigers, but he knows the reality of his time in Lexington coming to a close will hit him when he hears his name called over the loudspeaker.

“Right now, it’s really just the game. Probably when I get there, I’m gonna realize it’s my last game in here. Obviously, you get a little emotional,” he said. “I’m just so grateful and thankful for the opportunity to be able to play here, play for this prestigious program. I can’t wait to go out there one more time.”

Will he cry?

“I hope not, but I don’t know,” he joked. “I guess we’ll see.”

He remembers the avalanche of follows and messages the moment he announced his commitment to Kentucky. It was then he realized the next year would be different than anything he’d experienced in his life up to that point.

“That was just crazy. That’s when I knew it was just different here,” Almonor added.

When reminiscing about his favorite memories, he quickly pointed out the Tennessee and Florida home wins as his favorite on-court moments in blue and white. He particularly loved celebrating the victory over the Volunteers with fans, joining the party in the student section after the final buzzer.

“That was really cool,” he said.

Then he singled out Jeff Ruby’s and Malone’s as his go-to restaurants, those meals staying near and dear to his heart no matter where life takes him after the season comes to a close. Some other fan events across the state with Club Blue and going to football games stuck out as top off-court moments, too.

When asked about the time he got to spend with his new teammates, the last group he’ll ever play with at this level, it all seemingly sunk in.

“I can’t pinpoint one (moment),” he said. “It was just a lot of good memories with these guys — like, they’re my brothers now. I appreciate every single second I got to spend with them.”

From a pure basketball standpoint joining the program in Mark Pope’s first season in Lexington, Almonor feels his game grew in ways he never knew possible. He became a contributor in a historically great league, even winning a few SEC games for the Wildcats — including as a starter when Andrew Carr fought through a lingering back injury.

He wouldn’t have been in a position to make those contributions if it weren’t for the instruction from coaches and support staff leading to a spike in confidence.

“I feel like I’ve just improved in every aspect. I feel like the coaches here, they really focus on skill development,” Almonor said. “And not only just skills, even mentally getting better — like IQ and stuff like that. Playing games always get you better. Nothing replicates playing games, especially playing in the best league in the country. It definitely got me so much better, more physical, aggressive, defensively, aggressively. I’ve gotten better at almost every aspect of the game.”

Then you have the magical response from Big Blue Nation during his greatest highs and unwavering support during the lows — the best fanbase in sports leaving quite the impression on the forward out of Spring Valley, NY.

“It’s the mecca. It’s everything — like a pro team, for real. People try to tell you before you come, but when you’re in it, you really see it. They take it very seriously. Nothing is taken lightly out here. These fans, they’re the best in the world,” Almonor continued. “… It’s the whole state. The whole state is behind us and they love us and support us. So many fans, so many genuine people that just really want to see us do great. They have our back. It’s just been a great experience.”

Almonor’s time at Kentucky will officially come to a close at some point in the next several weeks — five, at most. From there, Pope and his staff will have to find the next batch of transfer portal standouts in the spring cycle, replacing as many as seven seniors saying goodbye to Lexington. Like this group, they will all be tasked with understanding the assignment of hanging banners and knowing what it means to wear this uniform.

His advice to those set to hear Pope’s pitch in the coming months? Take him up on his offer and go on the wildest, most fulfilling ride of your life.

“The payoff is going to be something you can’t even comprehend,” Almonor told KSR. “At this point last year, I wouldn’t be able to even comprehend that I was here and what I’ve gone through so far. I appreciate — obviously, it’s the biggest college basketball program in the country. It’s the mecca of college basketball and you’re gonna play for the best fans.

“It’s just a great experience, and if you have this opportunity, I would take it for sure.”

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