Ansley Almonor was all smiles at La Familia's media day. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Getting to play his final season of college basketball at Kentucky was a dream come true for Ansley Almonor last season. He transferred from Fairleigh Dickinson to play for coach Mark Pope and became a valuable role player off the bench for the Cats.
Almonor averaged 5.3 points and 14.3 minutes per game but most importantly he shot over 42 percent from 3-point range.
While UK’s other seniors off last year’s team are busy in NBA Summer Leagues, Almonor is back in Lexington to play for La Familia in The Basketball Tournament. He said Monday that La Familia general manager Twany Beckham reached out to him not long after UK’s season-ending loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament.
“I was kind of hesitant a little bit at first. I didn’t know what I was gonna do next or how everything was going to shape out,” said Almonor. “I was hesitant, but I felt like this was going to be a great opportunity, a great privilege to be able to play with these guys, and showcase my skills.”
Almonor actually got to scrimmage against some of his current La Familia teammates last summer and said at La Familia’s media day he remembered watching many of the La Familia players during their UK careers.
“A year ago, I didn’t even think I would be here. It’s just a great experience. Seeing how the BBN reacted last year and seeing the reception we received from the fan base and everybody in the community, it definitely makes it cool that I get to be a part of it,” Almonor said.
Almonor only left Lexington a few weeks ago and now is back. He was glad to see former teammates Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler and others when he got back for practice.
As much as Almonor is looking forward to playing for La Familia and reconnecting with UK fans, he’s also hoping the experience might help jump start a professional career for him.
“Representing BBN, trying to win this whole thing, prove why Kentucky is the best basketball tradition in general. But obviously I want to go out there and showcase my skills and earn myself an opportunity, wherever that may be,” Almonor said.
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La Familia will open TBT play Friday night at 9 PM ET on FS1 against Stroh’s Squad.
