Andreya Flores hugged Ansley Almonor after a Kentucky win and says her boyfriend never complained about anything during his one year at UK.
Once Ansley Almonor decided to transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson to Kentucky for his senior basketball season, Andreya Flores knew she was going to follow her boyfriend to Lexington.
Flores, a California native, had been a three-year starter on the Fairleigh Dickinson softball team but had her career ended her junior season in 2024 by a knee injury.
They are both “ big sports fans” who thought they understood the passion of Kentucky basketball fans when they came to UK but were still surprised at the support BBN provided.
“We knew Lexington bled blue and that basketball was a huge part of fans’ lives which is a little different from where I am from. We have a lot of professional teams (In California) and I am a huge (Los Angeles) Angels fan and have been going to games since I was a little girl,” Flores said. “However, I never experienced love like this for a college team.
“It was quite an experience this year to see how much Kentucky fans care about basketball and we really embraced that. It makes it a whole lot easier to play for someone when you know this (basketball) is their life.”
Flores did an interview on X (formerly Twitter) with some fans before Almonor committed to Kentucky and got “some good, some bad” reaction.
“But here fans have always welcomed me. They were always checking on me and offering to help if I needed it,” she said. “And the fans definitely loved him which has been awesome.
“You can tell fans appreciate his attitude. He came from a school (Fairleigh Dickinson) where you are the guy and now he just has to embrace a team role. He did that to the best of his ability.
“He didn’t complain about anything. He didn’t even complain to me. He is very grateful to God for just the opportunity to be at Kentucky. If something did not go his way, he just says it is God’s plan and goes about his business.”
Almonor graduated from UK last week — “I always wanted to be a kid that was able to play for Kentucky. To say I’m an alumni from this university, it’s a great feeling” — and now is ready to start training for what professional basketball opportunities might arise.
“I am going to California for an internship and then we will reconnect wherever he goes and let him follow his dream,” Flores said.
2 Responses
He never looked mad or salty about playing time. He could have been the best player in that conference this year and probably would have been player of the year and he gave that up to wear a Kentucky jersey. I take my hat off for him and wish him nothing but the best of luck. Tell him to join the TBT team. That would be so cool. I know Lexington will always be home to him. I know whatever he does he will excel at it with his attitude!
Never ever forget your UK experience. Your Kentucky "family" will always love you and you will forever be one of us. Thank you very much for coming to UK. Good luck to you in the next phase of your basketball career.