The Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team has added two significant transfers: point guard Jaland Lowe from the Pitt Panthers and forward Mouhamed Dioubate from Alabama.
Jaland Lowe (pronounced JAY-lend) brings veteran leadership and explosive playmaking to Kentucky’s backcourt. “Jaland is a dynamic point guard with great character and a strong desire to win,” head coach Mark Pope said.
Mouhamed Dioubate (pronounced dee-ah-BOT-TAY), a versatile and physical forward, also joins the Wildcats. Pope described him as a “unique fit” for Kentucky’s style of play, highlighting his ability to handle the ball, make decisions, and guard every position on the court.
Lowe’s Impressive Track Record
Lowe had a standout sophomore year at Pitt, starting all 31 games and leading the team with 16.8 points per game. He also averaged 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals. His efforts earned him third-team All-ACC and NABC Mid-Atlantic Second Team All-District honors.
The 6’3″ left-hander from Missouri City, Texas, hit the 20-point mark 10 times and posted 26 games in double figures. He tallied five or more assists in 19 games and hit double-digit assists in three contests. Lowe recorded Pitt’s sixth-ever triple-double (11 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) against VMI and dropped a career-high 28 points in a win over Ohio State.
He was also a defensive asset, leading the Panthers with 55 steals and notching multiple steals in 16 games. Against SEC opponents LSU and Mississippi State, he averaged 20.5 points while shooting 50% from beyond the arc.
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In his freshman season, Lowe averaged 9.6 points and started the final 19 of 33 games. He earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors and finished the year shooting 40.3% from deep as a starter.
A former four-star recruit out of Fort Bend Marshall High School, Lowe won the Guy V. Lewis Award and averaged 26.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists as a senior. He also starred in elite youth competitions like the Peach Jam and Jordan Brand Classic. Lowe’s godfather, John Lucas II, was the top pick in the 1976 NBA Draft and has coached in the league.
Lowe has two years of eligibility left.
Dioubate Brings Toughness and Efficiency
Dioubate averaged 7.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season for Alabama. He reached double figures 13 times and had five double-doubles. Notable performances included a 22-point, 10-rebound game against Vanderbilt and a 16-rebound outing against Houston.
The 6’7″ forward shot an impressive 61.7% from the field and 46.2% from three-point range. He was one of the Crimson Tide’s top rebounders and defenders, finishing second on the team in steals (35) and third in blocks (25), despite playing just 16 minutes per game.
In three matchups against Kentucky, Dioubate totaled 25 points and 21 rebounds, including a strong showing in the SEC Tournament with 13 points and eight boards.
In his two college seasons, Dioubate has played in 70 games and helped lead Alabama to back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. As a freshman, he had key moments like scoring nine of Alabama’s final 15 points in a win over Grand Canyon.
Hailing from Queens, New York, Dioubate won a national title with Putnam Science Academy. A four-star prospect, he was ranked in the top 75 nationally and starred in the EYBL circuit, where he averaged 13.6 points and led all players in scoring at the rim.
