The University of Kentucky men’s basketball program has officially welcomed two standout transfers: guard Jaland Lowe from Pittsburgh and forward Mouhamed Dioubate from Alabama.
Head coach Mark Pope expressed high praise for both players. Regarding Lowe, Pope noted, “He’s a dynamic point guard with veteran poise and electric playmaking ability. Above all, his dedication to the game and hunger to win set him apart.”
Pope also had strong words for Dioubate, saying, “Mo is an ideal fit for our style — physical, versatile, and cerebral. He brings the ability to guard and contribute at all five positions. His point-forward instincts make him especially valuable in our system.”
Jaland Lowe’s Journey to Lexington
After two seasons with Pitt, Jaland Lowe comes to Kentucky with impressive credentials. In his sophomore year, he started all 31 games, leading the Panthers with 16.8 points per game, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals. Lowe’s season highlights included being named to the All-ACC Third Team and the NABC Mid-Atlantic Second Team.
Standing at 6’3” and a left-handed scorer from Missouri City, Texas, Lowe consistently delivered — putting up 20 or more points in 10 games and scoring in double digits 26 times. He reached double-digit assists three times and logged five or more in 19 outings. One of his signature performances came in November, when he recorded Pitt’s sixth-ever triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against VMI.
Lowe later exploded for 28 points in an overtime victory over Ohio State. He finished the season with five double-doubles and led his team in steals with 55, racking up multiple steals in 16 games. Against SEC opponents LSU and Mississippi State, Lowe averaged 20.5 points, six boards, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals while shooting 50% from three.
As a freshman, Lowe posted 9.6 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game, starting the last 19 contests of his 33 total appearances. He hit double figures 17 times — 16 of which came in ACC matchups — and earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors in January after standout performances against Syracuse and Duke.
Coming out of Fort Bend Marshall High School, Lowe was a highly-rated four-star recruit. He was the recipient of the Guy V. Lewis Award and led his team to a 35-4 record and a top-three state finish. He also shone on the national stage, earning a spot in the Jordan Brand Classic and All-Tournament honors at the Peach Jam.
Notably, Lowe’s godfather is former NBA player and coach John Lucas II, the No. 1 overall pick in 1976.
Lowe arrives in Lexington with two years of eligibility remaining.
Mouhamed Dioubate’s Versatility Joins the Wildcats
Former Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate is also heading to Kentucky, bringing size, hustle, and a high basketball IQ. In his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide, the 6’7” forward tallied 7.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, while logging five double-doubles and 13 games in double-digit scoring.
Among his standout moments was a 22-point, 10-rebound outing against Vanderbilt. He also snagged 16 boards in a win over Houston and added double-doubles against Missouri and Florida. Dioubate posted 18 points and 10 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament against Robert Morris.
He finished third on the team in rebounding and second in offensive boards, shooting 61.7% from the field and 46.2% from deep. He also recorded 35 steals and 25 blocks despite averaging only 16 minutes a game.
Against Kentucky last season, Dioubate impressed with 13 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in their SEC Tournament clash, along with solid efforts in two regular season matchups.
Over his two years in Tuscaloosa, he appeared in 70 games and helped lead his team to consecutive Elite Eight appearances. He has career shooting percentages of 57.1% from the field and 35.1% from three-point range.
During his freshman year, Dioubate scored in double figures twice and was instrumental in Bama’s tournament success — notably scoring nine of the final 15 points in their Round of 32 win over Grand Canyon.
Originally from Queens, New York, Dioubate led Putnam Science Academy to a national title in high school. Rated a four-star recruit and a top-75 player nationally, he averaged 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds on the EYBL circuit. He was named to the EYBL First Team in 2022 and led the league in points at the rim.
