As the lights dim and anticipation builds inside the arena, moments before tip-off, there’s a ritual unfolding that most fans might overlook—but for the Kentucky Wildcats, it’s a powerful symbol of unity, energy, and identity. At the center of it all stands Mo Dioubate—the team’s self-proclaimed “handshake guy.”
Dioubate may not always be in the starting lineup, but his presence is felt long before the game begins. Positioned at the end of the player tunnel, he greets each starter with a personalized handshake routine as their names echo through the arena. It’s not just flair—it’s chemistry in motion.
This season, Dioubate has embraced his role as a high-energy bench contributor. Known for his physicality and spark off the bench, the 6-foot-7 junior from New York has found another way to impact the game—by setting the emotional tone before the opening whistle. His transition from a projected starting power forward to a reserve role didn’t diminish his importance. Instead, it expanded it.
“I guess I’m just the cool guy,” Dioubate joked. “I’ve got handshakes with a lot of my teammates. They just chose me because I’ve got the best ones. It’s something fun we do—it brings us together.”
But this tradition didn’t start with him.
Earlier in the season, that responsibility belonged to freshman standout Malachi Moreno. Before earning a starting spot, Moreno was the original architect of Kentucky’s pregame handshake culture. His passion for personalized greetings wasn’t random—it was deeply rooted in his upbringing.
“My brother and I had like 30 different handshakes,” Moreno shared. “That kind of rubbed off on me. Now I just want to have one with everybody.”
That brother, Michael Moreno, was a former high school star and collegiate player, and clearly left a lasting influence. For Malachi, handshakes became more than just greetings—they were expressions of connection, trust, and shared purpose.
When head coach Mark Pope moved Moreno into the starting lineup in late November, the freshman never looked back. His performance earned him SEC All-Freshman honors, solidifying his place as a key contributor. But with that promotion came a shift in responsibilities—passing the handshake torch to Dioubate.
Despite the change, the tradition remained intact.
And like any creative process, it hasn’t been without its hiccups.
“I messed one up with Jelavic,” Dioubate admitted with a laugh. “We made it right before the game and both kind of forgot it. But we fixed it after.”
These small, human moments only add to the authenticity of the ritual. It’s not rehearsed perfection—it’s spontaneous, evolving, and uniquely theirs.
Each player has a favorite. For Moreno, it’s a simple, refined exchange with Nick Robinson, Kentucky’s director of operations.
“It’s just a gentleman’s shake,” Moreno said. “Simple, but it means something.”
For Dioubate, the standout routine is with senior guard Otega Oweh. Like many of his creations, it was born in the moment.
“I come up with most of them on the spot,” he said. “We just make it up and roll with it.”
While it might seem like a lighthearted pregame ritual, the impact runs deeper. Coach Mark Pope has consistently emphasized the importance of body language and energy—intangibles that can influence momentum just as much as strategy or skill.
In fact, associate head coach Alvin Brooks III has been tasked with evaluating players specifically on their body language during games. It’s a testament to how seriously the program takes mental engagement and team cohesion.
And that’s where the handshake ritual fits in perfectly.
It’s a moment of connection. A spark. A reminder that every player—starter or bench—has a role to play.
As Kentucky prepares to face Santa Clara Broncos in their NCAA Tournament opener, they’ll carry more than just game plans onto the court. They’ll bring energy, confidence, and a shared rhythm that begins with a simple gesture.
Because sometimes, success doesn’t start with the first shot.
Sometimes, it starts with a handshake.
