Ansley Almonor says it's an honor to be at Kentucky: "I'm not really supposed to be here. ... God put me in this position"

Ansley Almonor was doing just fine at Fairleigh Dickinson. Spending three seasons in the Northeast Conference, the 6-7, 244-pound forward out of Spring Valley, NY had emerged as a mid-major star, averaging 16.4 points on 39.4 percent shooting from three as a junior with the Knights. He could have closed out his career there with plenty of shattered records and individual accolades.

Instead, he wanted to challenge himself, competing for team goals on college basketball’s biggest stage. He’ll be the first to tell you that dream sounded crazy and he never could have imagined Kentucky would actually call and give him that opportunity in Mark Pope’s first season in Lexington.

So if it appears he plays with joy, embracing his role as a spark off the bench simply happy to make shots and hustle plays, there is a reason for it. He’s actually overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude.

“I’m just happy to really be here, to be honest,” Almonor told KSR following Kentucky’s blowout win over Jackson State. “I’m not really supposed to be here, really looking at my story. So just me being here, being able to honor this jersey, I just love it. And I’m so appreciative. So that’s why every time I go out there, I’m just happy to be here.”

The senior forward previously played in a gym with a max capacity of 1,852. He now hoops in one 11 times that size, Rupp Arena holding 20,500 strong. Almonor dropped 10 points on 3-6 shooting and 2-5 from three in front of that crowd, Big Blue Nation exploding with every converted bucket in his 15 minutes off the bench.

Has he gotten used to that feeling yet?

“It’s not normal. It feels great,” he said. “All these people support you and it is really like a great feeling. It is the best feeling in the world. I feel like with your first shot you hear the whole crowd go crazy. It’s just the best. … It’s the best fanbase in the world. They’re consistent. Every game, they’re out there giving it their all. They support us and have our backs.”

Almonor wants to make each and every one of those fans inside Rupp Arena proud, just as he hopes to do for those watching at home. He does it for them as much as he does it for himself and his own personal goals as a basketball player.

Not many get this opportunity, and he knows that. Every minute he’s on the floor is one some young kid growing up in the sport would die to earn. He doesn’t take that lightly — certainly not for granted.

“Every time I go out there, it’s another reason to be grateful,” Almonor said. “God put me in this position to go out there and put on this prestigious jersey, represent all of these people in the state and all of our supporters around the country. That really means a lot. That’s why I really enjoy it, I’m really appreciative of my opportunity.”

Now he wants to do something with it. The time on the floor is great, as is the production that follows. That’s not why he came here, though. Almonor transferred to Kentucky to win at the highest level, understanding the assignment Coach Pope promised to complete the day he took the job.

They’re five wins toward that goal on November 23 with 35 games to go if they have any say in the matter.

“I’m just happy, you know? When people say we understand the assignment, we really understand the assignment. We’re all here for one goal, truly,” Almonor said. “There is no individual, no awards, none of that. We’re here for No. 9 — a national championship. Nothing individual, we’re all here for No. 9.

“Coach preaches that, he tells us every day what No. 9 would do to our lives, so that’s all we’re chasing. No. 9.”