UNC Secures Commitment From 7-Foot International Prospect
North Carolina has secured a commitment from 7-foot, five-star international prospect Sayon Keita, a Malian-born center playing for FC Barcelona's system in Spain. The 18-year-old adds frontcourt depth following the departure of All-ACC center Henri Veesaar. Keita, who also considered Kansas, Duke, and Kentucky, joins Northwestern transfer Cade Bennerman as the second 7-foot addition for UNC in two days. The Tar Heels are bolstering their roster with several transfer portal additions and high school recruits ahead of the 2026-27 season.
- ▪Sayon Keita is an 18-year-old, 7-foot center from Mali who plays for FC Barcelona's youth and senior development teams.
- ▪Keita averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game for Barca's U22 team in league play.
- ▪He took official visits to North Carolina, Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Duke, and UConn before committing to UNC.
- ▪North Carolina also added transfers Neoklis Avdalas, Terrence Brown, Maxim Logue, and Matt Able for the 2026-27 season.
- ▪Alongside Keita, UNC recently secured high school recruits Maximo Adams and Malloy Smith.
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By Matt AudiletContributing Sports WriterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Michael Malone and the North Carolina Tar Heels continue to build out their roster for the upcoming college basketball season.On Tuesday, North Carolina secured a commitment from 7-foot center Sayon Keita — a five-star international recruit out of Spain.Keita, originally from Mali, plays for FC Barcelona. The 18-year-old big man averaged about three points and two rebounds through less than 10 minutes per game for the highly-respected international program.
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