Keba Keita is going back to school.
The former BYU and Utah center intends to enter the transfer portal, according to a Wednesday report from Joe Tipton of On3 Sports.
NEWS: BYU center Keba Keita plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source told @On3.
The 6-8 senior has not closed the door on a possible return to Provo.
Keita is represented by Keith Kreiter of EDGE Sports.https://t.co/M6GlVAKqFMhttps://t.co/7MUM87HzsApic.twitter.com/zOCKylum4x
Similar to his former Cougars teammate Dallin Hall, who also entered the portal Wednesday, Keita’s portal decision comes after U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney in Denver ruled that the NCAA must give college athletes who recently exhausted their four years of eligibility another season to play.
While Keita does plan to explore all options for his fifth season of eligibility, Tipton noted that he “has not closed the door on a possible return to Provo,” as BYU does have two open roster spots and a glaring need at the center position.
Keita averaged 6.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in two seasons at BYU after transferring from Utah, serving as an effective lob threat and rim protector within Kevin Young’s operation.
The Mali native signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers following the NBA draft and played well during summer league, but now Keita will put his professional career on hold for one last ride in college.
Whether such a ride will come at BYU remains to be seen, as Young and his staff are reportedly in the mix with star Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler.
Former BYU basketball player Keba Keita poses after working out ahead of the NBA draft at the Marriott Center Annex in Provo on Saturday, June 6, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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