Louisville basketball is set to have one of the best backcourts in the nation after landing commitments from Adrian Wooley, Ryan Conwell, and Isaac McKneely.
After these three massive commitments, the Cardinals need a certified forward. Louisville will need someone with height behind Conwell as the lethal shooter transferring from Xavier is 6-foot-4 and is projected to be their starter at the small forward position. Louisville needs someone with some height that can help space out the floor for their shooters, but can also be a reliable defender.
It was reported that Pat Kelsey and his Louisville Cardinals recently contacted one of the best forwards available, but that in minutes the elite forward committed to the Cardinals' rival, the Kentucky Wildcats.
Louisville basketball loses big-time transfer portal forward to Kentucky
The Louisville Cardinals reportedly were in contact with Mouhamed Dioubate, a game-changing forward from Alabama. The 6-foot-7 forward is a former unanimous 4-star prospect out of high school and was one of the best players available in the portal.
However, after it was reported that Louisville was in contact with Dioubate, he quickly took to X and announced his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats.
— Mouhamed Dioubate ® (Mo D) (@MoDioubate) April 7, 2025
Dioubate at the time was the eleventh-best player available and was ranked as the No. 37 overall player to enter the portal, according to On3 Sports. The unanimous 4-star prospect has tremendous upside, as he is just a true sophomore and averaged 7.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 61.7 percent from the floor and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.
This elite forward was a perfect player to add to this Kelsey roster as he has the ability to splash it from deep, but his main skill on the offensive side is to use his explosive first step and his athleticism to attack the rim. He can shoot the ball well enough to be a threat and to space out the floor, but his glaring strength is his ability to attack the rim and finish through the contact.
The Cardinals will continue looking for that elite stretch forward in the transfer portal or hope to hear great news from the 5-star recruit, Nate Ament.
Related: 5 Eye-opening reasons the Louisville Cardinals will land 5-star Nate Ament
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.