On April 11, 2025, the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball program officially announced the transfer commitment of two standout players—point guard Jaland Lowe and forward Mouhamed Dioubate—each bringing valuable experience and two years of eligibility to Lexington for the 2025–26 NCAA season .
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Jaland Lowe: Explosive Playmaker at the Point
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope praised Lowe as “an incredibly explosive, playmaking, veteran point guard,” highlighting his work ethic, passion for the game, and competitive drive . Lowe, a 6‑foot‑3 lefty from Missouri City, Texas, led the Pittsburgh Panthers last season with averages of 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game . He earned Third-Team All‑ACC honors and NABC Mid‑Atlantic Second Team All‑District recognition .
Throughout the 2024‑25 campaign, Lowe delivered multiple standout performances—he produced one of Pittsburgh’s few triple-doubles (11 pts, 10 rebs, 10 asts), dropped a career-high 28 points in an overtime win over Ohio State, and consistently dazzled with 20+ point games, double-doubles, and defensive play marked by 55 steals . Over two seasons at Pitt, he appeared in 64 games, averaging 13.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per outing .
Amid his transfer, Lowe reportedly withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft, saying: “Big Blue Nation, see you soon!”—a clear message of commitment to Kentucky . ESPN’s Jeff Borzello even projects him as Kentucky’s most impactful newcomer for the upcoming season—anticipating Lowe starting alongside Denzel Aberdeen, Otega Oweh, Dioubate, and Jayden Quaintance .
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Mouhamed Dioubate: Versatile Forward with SEC and Tournament Experience
On the same day, Kentucky also unveiled the commitment of forward Mouhamed Dioubate, an Alabama transfer with two years of eligibility remaining . Pope hailed Dioubate as “a special young man … ball‑handling, decision‑making, physical, competitor,” noting his rare ability to guard all five positions and serve as a point-forward—an unusual and valuable asset .
At Alabama, Dioubate averaged 7.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in just 16 minutes of action during the 2024‑25 season . He excelled at efficient scoring (61.7 % FG, 46.2 % 3‑point) and contributed defensively with high rankings in steals and blocks relative to his minutes . His season was highlighted by several dominant performances—including 22 points and 10 boards versus Vanderbilt, 16 rebounds (plus other counting stats) in an overtime upset of Houston, and clutch double-doubles against Missouri and Florida in the SEC Tournament. He also put up 18 points and 10 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament opener .
The Queens, New York native comes from a strong prep background—he won a national prep championship with Putnam Science Academy, starred in the EYBL circuit, and was a four-star recruit ranked among the top 75 in his class .
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What This Means for Kentucky
These two additions significantly bolster Kentucky’s roster. Lowe brings leadership, perimeter scoring, playmaking, and championship-caliber experience, while Dioubate adds frontcourt versatility, efficiency, and defensive intensity. With both players possessing two years of eligibility, they are poised to contribute immediately and potentially anchor the Cats’ core through the 2026 season.
Expect Kentucky to lean on Lowe’s dynamic guard play to orchestrate an increasingly high-powered offense under Mark Pope. Meanwhile, Dioubate’s multi-positional flexibility should offer invaluable line-up adjustments, matchup advantages, and defensive adaptability.
Together, these signings underscore Kentucky’s aggressive and strategic approach to the transfer portal, prioritizing players whose skill sets match the system’s need for both ball-handling wings and versatile frontcourt contributors.
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Let me know if you’d like a deeper breakdown of how each could fit into Kentucky’s rotation or impact specific game scenarios!