Ansley Almonor got back in a groove vs. LSU after three straight scoreless games

As we all know by now, Kentucky has battled a series of injuries to several players throughout the 2024-25 season. But the Wildcats have stayed afloat in the harsh Southeastern Conference thanks in large part due to bench production.

Ansley Almonor is the perfect example of how a next man up mentality can lead to on-court success.

In his first 18 games of the season, Almonor averaged just 13.2 minutes per outing off the pine. He reached double-figures a handful of times and was massive in a road win over Mississippi State, but the consistency wasn’t always there. That changed when he was inserted into the starting lineup in place of an injured Andrew Carr. Almonor started seven straight games for the ‘Cats (Jan. 25-Feb. 15), averaging 8.6 points on 56 percent outside shooting in 23.3 minutes per contest.

But with Carr back in the lineup over Kentucky’s last five games, Almonor was moved to the bench once again. As a result, his minutes suffered. After a nine-point outing against Vanderbilt on Feb. 19, the Fairleigh Dickinson transfer failed to score a single point over his next three games. So how did he respond? By playing his best game of the season in his final game at Rupp Arena.

Ansley Almonor became a fan favorite almost immediately in Lexington

Won some big games for the Cats, always came out firing. As appreciative as any player in recent memory to wear Kentucky blue

Thank you, No. 15 pic.twitter.com/c3jzE0qwhz

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 4, 2025

Almonor was terrific in Kentucky’s 95-64 blowout victory over LSU for Tuesday’s Senior Night. He posted a season-high 15 points on 6-7 shooting, including a 3-4 clip from long range, in 19 minutes played — his most action since being pulled from the starting five.

“I thought he was terrific,” Head coach Mark Pope said postgame. “Ansley, my goodness, what a season he’s had. For a guy that never in his wildest dreams thought he would be wearing a Kentucky jersey. You think about the huge impactful moments that he’s had in games for us and he’s going to be big down the stretch. You see it all the time.

“He had three or four really quiet, subpar games for his standard that he set. And you know, sometimes all of the weight of this thing starts to get on your shoulders and he did a great job tonight just casting out, like, I’m going to be a baller man, make or miss, and I’m gonna go play. I thought his energy and intensity was great tonight. I thought he was really special. He’s been great all season.”

Almonor has earned the title of marksman this season. He’s up to 44.7 percent shooting from deep in his 30 games played, a number that’s been even better since the start of SEC play: 50.9 percent from deep on 3.1 attempts per outing. But he’s shown more than just an ability to fire from deep. Almonor hasn’t missed a two-point shot (9-9) OR a free throw (15-15) since the conference schedule began. There was one notable play against LSU where he beat his defender off the dribble and finished a tough lefty layup.

“I don’t think he’s been surprised but I think he’s been elated, right?” Pope said when asked if Almonor is surprised by his play this season. “I think he’s one of those guys that helps us win games, makes huge plays. He’s just like, ‘I knew I could do that, but I really just did that.’ It’s pretty fun to watch.”

Without Jaxson Robinson‘s shooting the rest of the season, Pope will need another couple more 15-point games from Almonor once the postseason picks up. If Tuesday night was any indication of what’s to come, he’ll be ready to embrace the moment.

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