Heel Tough Blog: Sayon Keita's Visa Officially Accepted, Chapel Hill Bound

Serge Ibaka Foundation

After committing to the UNC Basketball program earlier this spring, FC Barcelona’s Sayon Keita has officially been cleared to make the move to Chapel Hill after a lengthy process of getting his visa approved, paving the way for the Mali native to join the program the week that classes start on the UNC campus. Keita, who is a projected NBA lottery pick for next year’s NBA Draft, averaged 8.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 19 minutes, while playing in ACB and EuroLeague competition for FC Barcelona’s Under-22 team. 

With Keita now approved to make the international move, UNC’s rebuilt frontcourt is coming closer to focus. After losing Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar to the NBA Draft, and reserves to the transfer portal, Malone had to completely rebuild that part of his roster. He added Northwestern transfer Cade Bennerman, along with Greece’s Alexandros Samodurov, who has yet to be cleared by the NCAA. Last week, they rounded out the room with the addition of South Dakota’s Cameron Fens, 

It’s uncertain if Keita will start right away, but he has the highest upside of any of the bigs. Here's how Adam Finklestein, Scouting Director for 247Sports, breaks down Keita’s game: “Keita is a long and athletic developing big man who measured at 6-foot-10-and-three-quarters at last year's NBPA Top 100 Camp along with a 7-foot-7 wingspan and 9-foot-4-and-a-half standing reach. He's also a big-time mover for his size who has quick feet and agility, in addition to the ability to beat opposing bigs up and down the floor. Defensively, he's a rim protector but also has some ability away from the basket. He has the potential to defend ball screens in multiple ways and maybe even be somewhat switchable. He's proactive in jabbing at the ball, active with his hands, has the tools to recover, and erase mistakes. Offensively, his quickness allows him to separate quickly as a roller; he's a bouncy finisher at the rim and is a lob threat. He also shows some touch and passing instincts to develop in time. Keita just turned 18 years old and still has a largely undeveloped frame. He's going to need to get a lot stronger, and the physicality of the college game may be his most significant immediate challenge, especially against high-level competition that may target him against bigger and more physically developed bigs.”

Inside Carolina was the first to break the news regarding Keita’s visa acceptance. 

The Four Corners Podcast: