‘I’m Here to Work and Win’: Mouhamed Dioubate Opens Up on His Kentucky Wildcats Transition, Summer Grind, and Leadership Role on a Rebuilt Roster
Mouhamed Dioubate is no stranger to hard work. The 6-foot-7 forward out of Queens, New York, built his reputation on grit, hustle, and a relentless motor that makes him one of the toughest defenders and rebounders in any gym he walks into. Now, as one of ten new additions to the University of Kentucky’s completely overhauled basketball roster for the 2025–26 season, Dioubate is embracing a fresh start in Lexington. And judging by his tone and demeanor during Monday’s summer Q&A session with reporters, he’s here for one reason: to work and to win.
Dioubate sat confidently in front of the assembled media inside the Wildcats’ practice facility. Though it was only early summer, and the team was still in the beginning stages of gelling under new head coach Mark Pope, Dioubate’s focus and clarity were already shining through. This wasn’t just a player changing schools for more minutes or better exposure—this was a competitor who believes in his new environment, his new teammates, and the process ahead.
“Kentucky is a place where basketball means everything,” Dioubate said. “When I made the decision to leave Alabama, I knew I wanted to go somewhere that had the highest expectations, where every day you’re competing, every game means something. That’s what this program is. And I’m blessed to be a part of it now.”
His decision to transfer from Alabama caught the attention of many in the college basketball world. After showing flashes of promise in Tuscaloosa during his freshman campaign, Dioubate entered the portal with plenty of interest. But it was Pope and the Kentucky staff who moved the quickest—and perhaps believed the most in what he could become.
“Coach Pope was on me from the jump,” Dioubate recalled. “We talked about what kind of player I am, but also what kind of man I want to be. It wasn’t just basketball—it was about development in every way. That really stuck with me. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He told me it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be competitive, but that I could help lead this group and be a difference-maker. That’s all I needed to hear.”
Now settled into Lexington, Dioubate has already become a vocal presence during early summer workouts. With a roster full of transfers, freshmen, and players adjusting to new roles, chemistry is still developing—but Dioubate insists the foundation is strong.
“We’re putting in work every single day,” he said. “From 6 a.m. lifts to afternoon skill work, we’re locked in. Everybody here knows what’s expected. It’s a bunch of hungry guys, and nobody’s entitled. We all have something to prove.”
What stands out most about Dioubate isn’t just his defensive prowess or his rebounding—though both are elite for his position—but his mentality. He’s the kind of player who dives on loose balls in practice, who talks on defense, who celebrates his teammates’ success as loudly as his own. He thrives on the less glamorous parts of the game.
“Rebounding, defense, energy—that’s my foundation,” he said. “I love doing the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. I’ve always taken pride in being that guy that brings toughness to the floor, no matter what my role is. But I’m also developing more offensively. I’ve been putting in the hours on my shot, ball handling, and reading the game better.”
During his freshman season at Alabama, Dioubate often came off the bench in high-pressure SEC matchups, giving the Crimson Tide crucial minutes with his defensive intensity. But he acknowledges that he didn’t get to fully showcase his skill set—and he’s eager to do more in blue and white.
“I’ve got more in my bag than people saw last year,” he said confidently. “I know what I can do. Here, I’ve got a coach who’s giving me the green light to be aggressive, to make plays, and to grow. That means a lot. I’m not trying to be flashy—I’m trying to be effective. Impact winning. That’s it.”
Kentucky’s program, coming off a coaching change and a wave of player departures, is very much in a rebuilding phase. Yet the atmosphere in Lexington is anything but uncertain. Under Pope, a former BYU head coach and Kentucky national champion as a player, the program has taken on a new identity: fast-paced, unselfish, and fiercely competitive.
“Coach Pope brings a different energy,” Dioubate said. “He’s played at this level, he’s won at this level. He knows what it takes. And he’s not asking us to be perfect—he’s asking us to compete, to be disciplined, and to play for each other.”
For Dioubate, that culture fits perfectly. While he may only be a sophomore, he’s stepping into a leadership role—something he doesn’t take lightly.
“I’ve been through an SEC season. I’ve played on the road at tough places. I know how hard it is to win in this league. So even though I’m still young, I’ve got experience that I can share. I try to lead with my actions—by being the first in the gym, by talking on defense, by encouraging guys when they’re down. That’s how teams grow.”
He pauses, thoughtful.
“I want to be the kind of teammate that people remember for the right reasons. Someone who brought people together, who competed every day, who made guys better. That’s what leadership is to me.”
As he continues to adapt to his new surroundings, Dioubate is also adjusting to the spotlight that comes with wearing a Kentucky jersey. The fanbase is massive and deeply passionate, and expectations are high—even in transition years. But for Dioubate, that pressure is a privilege.
“You come to Kentucky for moments like that,” he said. “For the big games, the packed arenas, the expectations. That’s what drives me. I don’t run from it—I embrace it.”
He speaks of his teammates with pride, noting how quickly bonds are forming.
“We’ve got some dogs on this team,” he said with a grin. “Guys that aren’t scared of the moment. We’ve got shooters, playmakers, bigs that can run the floor. And everybody’s unselfish. That’s what’s exciting. We’re building something special, and we’re doing it together.”
Still, Dioubate knows it won’t come easy. With so many new players and a new system to install, growing pains are inevitable. But he believes those early challenges will make the team stronger.
“Right now, it’s about learning each other—on the court and off it. Building trust. Holding each other accountable. That’s what summer’s for. By the time October and November roll around, we want to be a unit. No weak links. That’s what we’re working toward.”
As the Q&A session wound down, Dioubate was asked about his long-term goals—both personally and for the team.
“I want to win,” he said simply. “That’s the main thing. SEC title, NCAA tournament run, all of it. That’s what we’re chasing. Individually, I want to be known as one of the toughest guys in college basketball. Someone who plays the right way, who leaves it all out there. And if I do that, everything else will fall into place.”
He looked around the practice gym, then back at the media members in front of him.
“I didn’t come here to be average. I didn’t transfer to take a step back. I’m here to work and win. That’s the standard at Kentucky. And I’m ready for it.”
With that, Mouhamed Dioubate rose from his seat, exchanged a few words with teammates off-camera, and walked back toward the court—his body language already signaling that the interview was over, but the real work was just beginning. For Dioubate and the new-look Wildcats, the 2025–26 journey is just taking shape, but one thing is certain: in Mouhamed Dioubate, Kentucky has found a leader whose actions speak even louder than his words.
