(WKYT) – Former Kentucky forward Mo Dioubate has announced he will be taking his talents to Baton Rouge and play for LSU.
The 6‑foot‑7 junior arrived in Lexington last spring after two seasons at Alabama and played a key rotational role under first‑year coach Mark Pope, providing energy and defense off the bench.
Dioubate appeared in 31 games with 10 starts and averaged 8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, one assist, and one steal per game while shooting 54.2% from the field. Known for his physical play and rebounding, he delivered one of his best performances in the NCAA Tournament first round with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in a win over Santa Clara.
Dioubate joins new (and old) LSU head coach Will Wade as Wade’s first commit of this transfer portal season. Dioubate is the third former Wildcat to pick a SEC school to play for next season.
Kentucky was linked to Syracuse big man Donnie Freeman but the big man chose to commit to former UK head coach Rick Pitino and the Johnnies, first reported by Sydney Cuillier of 247Sports.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31.3 minutes per game this past season at Syracuse.
The Cats looked to be in the lead to get Freeman after his visits to Alabama and UConn were canceled but it was then reported by On3 that St. John’s offered more money than Kentucky and gained the lead in the recruiting process, followed by the commitment.
Coach Pope will now focus on bringing in a couple of guys this week for a visit, including James Madison forward Justin McBride…USC seven-footer Gabe Dynes…and Winchester native Jerone Morton.
