St. John’s Pursues Mouhamed Dioubate As Key Transfer Target In Roster Build

The St. John’s Red Storm are actively working through the transfer portal as head coach Rick Pitino continues reshaping the roster ahead of the 2026–27 college basketball season. One of the program’s top targets is emerging in forward Mouhamed Dioubate.

Dioubate, a transfer from the Kentucky Wildcats, has quickly become one of the more sought-after frontcourt players in the portal. His combination of size, athleticism, and two-way production has drawn attention from several major programs.

Recruiting momentum has begun to build, with St. John’s and the Virginia Cavaliers both holding recent Zoom meetings with the forward. Dioubate is also scheduled to visit St. John’s campus in the coming week.

As the transfer market develops, multiple high-major programs continue to evaluate his fit as part of their offseason rebuilds.

1. Rising Transfer Stock And Recruitment Interest

Dioubate has positioned himself as one of the more attractive forwards available in the transfer portal, earning a ranking of No. 72 overall and No. 8 among small forwards according to On3. His profile has steadily gained traction among programs seeking immediate frontcourt help. Beyond St. John’s and Virginia, he has drawn interest from several other high-major schools, including Creighton, Baylor, Maryland, Mississippi State, and Providence. His recruitment has become increasingly competitive as teams finalize roster plans. The Queens native brings added appeal due to his local ties, making St. John’s an especially intriguing destination as the program seeks to strengthen its presence in the New York area. His combination of familiarity with the region and proven college experience has made him a priority evaluation target across multiple coaching staffs.

2. College Production And Development Path

Dioubate’s most recent season at Kentucky showcased his efficiency and versatility in a rotational role. He averaged 8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, one steal, and one block per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the field. He appeared in 31 games with 10 starts, contributing consistent energy and defensive presence in limited minutes. His ability to impact games without needing high usage has been a key part of his appeal. Prior to his time at Kentucky, Dioubate spent two seasons at Alabama, where he primarily came off the bench and provided rebounding and defensive intensity. His collegiate journey has included multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Across three seasons at the high-major level, he has developed into a reliable frontcourt contributor capable of adapting to different systems and roles.

3. St. John’s Roster Strategy And Competition

St. John’s views Dioubate as a potential replacement for forward Dillon Mitchell, who is expected to depart the program. His versatility and defensive ability align with the team’s needs in the frontcourt. Virginia, under first-year head coach Ryan Odom, also remains a serious contender after a strong 30–6 campaign that ended in an NCAA Tournament Round of 32 appearance. Their recent success adds weight to their pursuit. The Red Storm are also aggressively targeting additional transfer options, including Kansas State wing Abdi Bashir Jr., as part of a broader roster overhaul. The program is working to fill six available scholarships. As competition intensifies across the portal, Dioubate’s decision is expected to play a significant role in shaping multiple programs’ offseason direction.