Report: Utah Center Keba Keita Enters Transfer Portal
May 2, 2024, 11:52 AM
Keba Keita #13 of the Utah Utes reacts after dunkin the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the second round of the men's basketball National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at the Jon M Huntsman Center on March 24, 2024 in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Utes men’s basketball center Keba Keita entered the NCAA’s transfer portal, according to multiple reports.
Keba Keita enters Transfer Portal
The Runnin’ Utes big man reportedly entered the portal on Thursday, May 2.
“Utah sophomore center Keba Keita has entered the transfer portal after averaging 8.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game this season,” Rivals.com posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Bamako, Mali native has spent the past two seasons at Utah.
Utah sophomore center Keba Keita has entered the transfer portal after averaging 8.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game this season.https://t.co/ROQrFybaxW
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) May 2, 2024
The former four-star product out of Wasatch Academy began his career at Utah after committing to Craig Smith’s program in 2022.
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Keita chose Utah over offers from UNLV, Utah Tech, and Washington.
During his first season with the Runnin’ Utes, the center saw action in 31 games. He posted 3.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 0.5 steals in 10.5 minutes per game as a freshman.
Last season, Keita saw his playing time rise as a sophomore. The big man also improved his production with more minutes on the hardwood. Keita averaged 8.3 points per contest on 61.0 percent shooting. He also recorded 5.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 16.1 minutes per game. Keita played in 35 games last season and started in 13 of those contests.
Utah posted a 22-15 record and reached the semifinal round of the NIT in 2023-24. The Utes finished in sixth place in the Pac-12 Conference. Next season will be Utah’s first year in the Big 12 Conference.
Career nights from Keba Keita and Ben Carlson fuel Utah’s win vs. Southern Utah 🙌
Highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/EUSlPjGFs5
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 6, 2023
With Keita in the portal and Branden Carlson leaving the program as a senior, Lawson Lovering, a junior, the only center on Utah’s roster from this past season’s team.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
