Ansley Almonor signs deal with professional team in Finland

Ansley Almonor is set to begin his professional career overseas.

The former Kentucky Wildcat is headed to play for the Vilpas Vikings of the Korisliiga league, the top level of competition in Finland. Vilpas announced the signing on Monday morning, adding that Almonor is one of three players joining the team after playing college ball in the SEC this past season.

Almonor, 23, spent his senior season at Kentucky in 2024-25, where he averaged 5.3 points in 14.2 minutes per outing off the bench on shooting splits of 50.4/42.4/90.6. The 6-foot-7 wing came to Lexington after three seasons at Fairleigh Dickinson, where he was named All-NEC twice.

After returning to the Bluegrass State for a run with La Familia in The Basketball Tournament last month, he’s now off to start a new basketball life in Europe.

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Along with the former Wildcat, Vilpas has also signed Claudell Harris Jr. (Mississippi State) and Ze’Rik Onyema (Texas), both of whom suited up against Almonor and Kentucky in 2024-25. Almonor played two of his best games of the season against those two, going for 11 points in both outings against the Bulldogs and Longhorns.

Almonor, who will wear jersey #0, is expected to be the final piece added to Vilpas’ roster for next season. Training camp begins next week.

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