BREAKING NEWS: Former Kentucky player Mouhamed Dioubate makes his transfer portal commitment

Another member of the 2025–26 Kentucky basketball roster has decided on a new destination. On Monday, Wildcats junior forward Mouhamed Dioubate announced via Instagram that he has committed to LSU out of the NCAA transfer portal. Dioubate will wrap up his college career in the SEC, the same conference where he has played throughout. He spent only one season under Mark Pope at Kentucky. His college journey began with two years at Alabama before transferring to the Wildcats in the 2025 offseason.

While at Alabama, Dioubate was a valuable reserve, and there was optimism that he could grow his offensive game and take on a larger role at Kentucky. That didn’t materialize as hoped. Known for his physical style, Dioubate averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds over 21.6 minutes per game this past season. He shot just 21.4% from three-point range, making only six of 28 attempts. Dioubate started 10 of his first 11 games at Kentucky but dealt with an early-season ankle injury. In January, he was replaced in the starting lineup by sophomore forward Andrija Jelavic, who has also since entered the transfer portal. One of Dioubate’s best performances for Kentucky came late in the season: he posted 17 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in a season-high 32 minutes as the Wildcats rallied past Santa Clara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Dioubate has one remaining season of NCAA eligibility. LSU enters the 2026–27 season with new but familiar leadership, having rehired former head coach Will Wade. Wade previously led the Tigers from 2017 to 2022, then coached at McNeese State (2023–25) and North Carolina State (2025–26) before returning to Baton Rouge.

Dioubate is the first portal addition for Wade’s revamped LSU program this offseason. Seven players from Kentucky’s 2025–26 squad entered the transfer portal, and Dioubate is the last of that group to commit to a new school. He joins senior guard Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), sophomore guard Collin Chandler (BYU), sophomore forward Andrija Jelavic (Ohio State), freshman guard Jasper Johnson (Oregon), junior guard Jaland Lowe (Georgetown), and junior forward Brandon Garrison (Alabama).