Sayon Keita reportedly gets Visa cleared; will join UNC Basketball
The big man gets in just under the wire
Athens, Greece - May 21: Sayon Keita, a native of Mali, has obtained his visa to play for the University of North Carolina's basketball team, according to Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan. The 21-year-old will join the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill in time for the start of the 2026-27 basketball season. This addition provides Coach Michael Malone with much-needed front court depth, as the team aims to bolster its roster for the upcoming season.
Keita will be behind in terms of informal practice time compared to his teammates, but his younger age and different position could make the adjustment process easier for him. The team is preparing for a challenging non-conference schedule, which includes games against Georgia, Marshall, West Virginia, Arkansas, Butler, Georgetown, Kentucky, and Illinois.
With classes beginning and the first public game less than two months away, Malone's inaugural squad will need to gel quickly and cohesively. Keita's arrival has been seen as a major move for Malone, as he is considered a potential lottery pick in the 2027 NBA draft.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
