Mo Dioubate explains what drew him to Kentucky

Kentucky made a big splash in the Transfer Portal this offseason when it poached forward Mouhamed Dioubate from SEC-rival Alabama. As a pivotal member of last season’s Alabama team that reached the Elite Eight, Dioubate averaged 7.2 points and 5.9 rebounds and recorded a double-double in their Round of 64 game against Robert Morris.

Dioubate and the Crimson Tide defeated Mark Pope‘s Kentucky team in all three games (two regular season matchups and an SEC Tournament meeting) last season. In the three matchups against his future team, he averaged 8.3 points and seven rebounds per game.

Dioubate explained what drew him to Lexington at a recent media opportunity, and even revealed some of his favorite Wildcat players growing up.

“I felt like coach [Mark] Pope had a good plan for me and my future,” Dioubate said. “If you knew me, you’d know that Kentucky was my dream school when I was a kid. If I could’ve came there out of high school I probably would have. Just with the opportunity presented, where I was at that point in my life, I felt like that was the right choice for me and my family. That’s why I came here.”

With Kentucky being Dioubate’s dream school growing up, he was asked who some of his favorite Wildcats growing up were. His first answer might surprise you without some context.

“Hamidou Diallo,” Dioubate exclaimed. “He’s one of my favorites. Malik Monk. Bam Adebayo. De’Aaron Fox. Those guys I watched growing up as a kid.”

Diallo, who played at Kentucky from 2017-18, was born and raised in Queens, NY much like Dioubate was. In 37 games in the blue and white, Diallo averaged 10.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for a Wildcat team that reached the Sweet Sixteen.

“It’s been good,” Dioubate responded when asked about being a member of the team so far. “I didn’t expect anything easy honestly. My whole life I worked hard for everything I had so coming in I didn’t expect anything to be handed to me. I always go after everything I wanted, but it’s been good. I’ve been working.”

Dioubate has been a pivotal piece to Kentucky‘s star-studded Transfer Portal class, which is ranked No. 2 in On3’s rankings. He’s joined by Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen, Pittsburgh guard Jaland Lowe, Arizona State forward Jayden Quaintance, Miami (OH) center Reece Potter and Tulane forward Kam Williams to go along with returners guard Otega Oweh, forward Brandon Garrison, forward Trent Noah and guard Collin Chandler.

The ‘Cats are seeking their first Final Four since 2015 and first National Championship since 2012 this season.