What Mo Dioubate's commitment means for Kentucky

Remember all of that worry in the early stages of the transfer portal — if we’re ready to say we’re out of the early stages now, considering it doesn’t even close until April 22? Kentucky moved quickly on Tulane transfer Kam Williams, taking his commitment on March 28 to open the cycle before things slowed down for the next week. Then Pittsburgh transfer Jaland Lowe broke that silence, announcing his move to Lexington on April 5.

Now, Alabama transfer Mouhamed Dioubate is keeping that momentum rolling, making the intraconference jump to Kentucky after two seasons in Tuscaloosa.

What are the Wildcats getting in the 6-7 forward out of Queens, NY? KSR has everything you need to get excited for the latest pledge.

If you can’t beat ’em, take ’em

If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen his face in your nightmares. Dioubate was a thorn in Kentucky’s side this season, putting together three strong performances in three wins for the Crimson Tide over the Wildcats.

• 1/18 – 8 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal (102-97 W)
• 2/22 – 4 points, 5 rebounds and a block (96-83 W)
• 3/14 – 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal (99-70 W)

That second matchup in Tuscaloosa was his least productive, but it was also where he was the defensive anchor in Otega Oweh’s first single-digit scoring performance of the season, Kentucky’s star held to just two points on 1-9 shooting while fouling out in 22 minutes of action. As for the third matchup in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, Dioubate was an all-around force with some momentum-swinging plays to help the Tide run away with the blowout victory in Nashville.

Mark Pope is no stranger to hand-picking former opponents and bringing them in to avoid further punishment. The Alabama transfer is the latest example.

Every roster needs a Dioubate

No, he’s not the flashiest player in the world and his numbers won’t jump off the page at you. Averaging 7.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 61.7 percent from the field, 46.2 percent from three and 60.9 percent at the line, he scored in double figures on 13 occasions, including four times combined in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. Productive, but not otherworldly.

You have to dig beyond the box score, though, to find Dioubate’s true value, a gritty and tough forward willing to mix it up and do the dirty work for you. He defends your best offensive threat, dives for loose balls, fights on the glass and plays hard every second he’s on the floor. Playing just 16.0 minutes per contest, you hear his name called over the loudspeaker and highlighted on game broadcasts far more often than his average run suggests he should finishing eighth in clock and scoring.

Need a putback or lob or defensive stop or transition bucket or tough rebound or made play? Dioubate found himself in position to be that guy more often than not. It’s why Alabama fans lost their minds when the rising junior put his name in the portal last week — and are pulling their hair out more knowing they’ll have to see him in a different jersey next season.

Exactly what last year’s roster was missing

He was a thorn in Kentucky’s side specifically because the Wildcats didn’t have a counter to Dioubate — or guys like him on the schedule, especially in the SEC. The 6-7 forward is a physical athlete with real tools, not just pure skill with good coaching putting pieces in position to succeed. How often did we look for an enforcer to go blow for blow with the heavy hitters of the conference, the toughest in the history of college basketball? It’s clear Pope put an emphasis there when the portal opened, taking a high-ceiling two-way threat in Kam Williams, a slithery guard capable of getting to his spots in Jaland Lowe, and now, a junkyard dog ready to play and guard multiple positions, matching physicality and toughness.

Kentucky needed athletes and Pope found them.

Putting a bow on the roster

We couldn’t be in a position to put the final touches on the 2025-26 roster, can we? As things stand today, we’re trending toward one, maybe two more additions — assuming the Wildcats can get their five players with remaining eligibility back, as expected.

You’ve got Williams, Lowe and Dioubate — plus high school signees Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno and Acaden Lewis all coming in. Then the hope is to retain Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, Trent Noah and Travis Perry, bringing Kentucky’s total to 11 players penciled in next season.

The Cats found 12 scholarship pieces last go-round and looked for a 13th, but didn’t come up with the right fit. That’s how we ended up with three walk-ons on the bench in Walker Horn, Grant Darbyshire and Zach Tow. From here, Pope will look to add one more shot-making wing — USC transfer Wesley Yates is the prime target, among other options — while also having the flexibility to get creative from there. Do you take a chance on former UK signee Jayden Quaintance, a likely top-five draft pick working his way back from a torn ACL? That could get expensive, but there isn’t a better high-upside piece you can find. Where do things stand with Alvaro Folgueiras or even Jaron Pierre Jr.?

The core is done, minus one shooter. From there, you can take a risk or build depth as the banner-hanging assignment continues with confidence next season.

Dioubate went a long way toward that confidence today.