The transfer portal has once again placed the Kentucky Wildcats at the center of attention, and this time it involves a forward who quietly became one of the team’s most reliable contributors down the stretch.
Mouhamed Dioubate, who transferred into Lexington and carved out a meaningful role during the 2025-26 season, is back in the portal with one year of eligibility remaining. Now, momentum is building toward a potential landing spot that would significantly impact the Big East.
According to a prediction from recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw, Dioubate is expected to commit to St. John's Red Storm, a program that continues to trend upward under Rick Pitino.
On3’s @JamieShaw5 has logged an expert prediction for 6’7 PF Mo Dioubate to land in St. John’s.#SJUBB pic.twitter.com/NNLE6v1cap
— Jason Petrucci (@Jpet_7) April 15, 2026
Why Mouhamed Dioubate fits what St. John’s is building
Dioubate’s production at Kentucky may not have generated headlines, but it checked important boxes. He averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting efficiently from the field, giving the Wildcats frontcourt stability in a rotational role.
For St. John’s, that profile matters.
Pitino’s system thrives on physicality, rebounding, and defensive versatility — areas where Dioubate already brings proven value. His ability to defend multiple positions and finish around the rim would address immediate needs for a roster that is actively retooling.
More importantly, he offers experience. In a portal era dominated by turnover, players who have logged meaningful minutes in high-level programs carry added weight.
Kentucky faces another roster reset moment
This potential departure underscores a larger theme for Kentucky.
The Wildcats continue to cycle through roster turnover at a rapid pace, and Dioubate’s exit would mark another instance of a productive piece moving on before fully peaking in the program. While that reality is not unique in today’s college basketball landscape, it highlights the ongoing challenge of building continuity.
After a second-round NCAA Tournament exit, maintaining roster stability becomes even more critical, and increasingly difficult.
St. John’s momentum is becoming impossible to ignore
If Dioubate ultimately lands in Queens, it would represent more than just a solid addition. It would be another signal that St. John’s is gaining traction as a destination program.
The Red Storm reached the Sweet 16 this past season, their deepest tournament run in decades, and expectations are rising quickly. With multiple departures already hitting the portal, adding a player like Dioubate would help stabilize the frontcourt while reinforcing the program’s upward trajectory.
In a transfer portal era where momentum can shift quickly, St. John’s appears to be positioning itself on the right side of it.
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