Mo Dioubate holding a Christmas Toy Drive next week

Christmas is right around the corner, and one Kentucky Wildcat has found a creative way to give back both to the Lexington community and the Big Blue Nation.

Kentucky junior forward Mo Dioubate will hold a Christmas Toy Drive next Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Jimmy’s Kentucky Roadshow in Lexington (369 Romany Road). Fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy will be able to get an autograph from Dioubate and a photo with him. You must bring your own item to be signed. To make sure everyone gets a chance to meet Mo, there’s a limit of two autographs per person, but no limit on toy donations! The toys will be donated to the Toy Chest Children’s Charity.

Bring a toy for a kid in need and get an autograph with a fan favorite on this year’s team. It’s a win-win. The event takes place from 6-7:30 p.m. next Wednesday at Jimmy’s Kentucky Roadshow. Get in there, BBN.

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Dioubate to return Saturday vs. Indiana?

When will we see Dioubate back on the floor at Rupp Arena? He missed his fifth straight game last night with a high ankle sprain he suffered in the loss to Michigan State in the Champions Classic. Before the injury, he was averaging 11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Dioubate reportedly told fans at Monday’s BBN United practice that he’s hoping to return for the Indiana game Saturday. On Monday night, Mark Pope said Mo’s status is “day-to-day,” an upgrade from the “weeks and weeks” timeline we got last week.

“Mo continues to make a little bit of progress on this high-ankle sprain,” Pope said during his call-in radio show. “We’ll see how — he’s kind of day-to-day.”

Ankle injuries are tricky, but what better way to ring in the holiday than beating the Hoosiers and hosting a great event for the community and BBN a few days later?

To learn more about Mo Dioubate’s background growing up in Queens and his journey to Kentucky, check out my feature on him from October.

[From Diallo’s Blueprint to Pope’s Visit: The Story Behind Mo Dioubate’s Journey to Kentucky]