The transfer portal has once again pushed the Kentucky Wildcats into the spotlight this time because of a forward who quietly became one of their most dependable late-season contributors.
Mouhamed Dioubate, who joined Kentucky and earned a meaningful role during the 2025–26 campaign, has re-entered the portal with one year left to play. Growing buzz now points toward a potential destination that could shake up the Big East.
Recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw has predicted that Dioubate will commit to St. John’s Red Storm, a program steadily rising under Rick Pitino.
Why Dioubate fits St. John’s direction
Dioubate’s numbers at Kentucky weren’t flashy, but they checked key boxes. He put up 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on efficient shooting, giving the Wildcats steady frontcourt minutes.
That kind of reliability is exactly what St. John’s needs.
Pitino’s teams rely on toughness, rebounding, and defensive versatility all strengths Dioubate already possesses. His ability to guard multiple spots and finish inside fills immediate gaps for a roster undergoing significant changes.
Even more valuable is his experience. With constant roster movement in the portal era, players who’ve logged real minutes at major programs are at a premium.
Another reset looming for Kentucky
Dioubate’s likely departure reflects a larger issue for Kentucky. The Wildcats continue dealing with heavy roster churn, and losing another productive player before he reaches his full ceiling adds to the challenge. It’s a common theme in modern college basketball, but it underscores how difficult building continuity has become.
Following a second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, roster stability is more important and harder to maintain than ever.
St. John’s growing momentum
If Dioubate chooses Queens, it would be more than a solid pickup. It would serve as another indication that St. John’s is becoming a destination again.
The Red Storm reached the Sweet 16 this past year their deepest run in decades and expectations are rising. With several players already in the portal, adding Dioubate would strengthen the frontcourt while reinforcing the program’s upward climb.
In a portal landscape where momentum constantly shifts, St. John’s appears to be positioning itself on the winning side of it.
