Alabama basketball loses key forward to transfer portal

Alabama basketball is losing a key contributor from its Elite Eight and Final Four runs. Mo Dioubate plans to enter the transfer portal and depart after two seasons in Tuscaloosa, he shared on his social media.

“I would like to thank Coach (Nate) Oats and the rest of the coaching staff, all the supporting staff and the University of Alabama as a whole for extending me the opportunity to be a part of a great run and experience during my time here,” Dioubate said in an Instagram post. “Thanks to everyone who showed me love and support during my time at Alabama. With that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”

The forward from New York wasn’t a regular starter for the 2024-25 Crimson Tide, however, he made crucial contributions throughout the season. He was a major part of the Final Four postseason run, starring in a win over Grand Canyon.

“He won us the Grand Canyon game,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said of Dioubate this past season. “He’s a guy who just gives us something a lot different than pretty much anybody else on the roster. We need that out of him. Or maybe an SEC Tournament game or an NCAA Tournament game where he’s the only guy who can do what he does. Comes in and sparks us and gives us win.”

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward averaged 7.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this past season. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.

Dioubate became the second Alabama player from the 2024-25 roster to to enter the transfer portal. Naas Cunningham will depart Tuscaloosa after redshirting his freshman year with the Tide, never seeing the court in a game.

Alabama has added two players so far this portal window, including former Bucknell star Noah Williamson and Florida State’s Taylor Bol Bowen.

Alabama’s 2024-25 season came to an end in the Elite Eight, where UA lost to Duke. The Crimson Tide had sailed through the first two rounds of the tournament, before riding a historic three-point shooting performance to victory in the Sweet 16 over BYU.

In addition to Cunningham and Dioubate, Alabama is losing Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Cliff Omoruyi and Chris Youngblood, all of whom are out of eligibility. The current transfer portal entry window is open through April 22.