Keba Keita is headed back into the transfer portal, but BYU still has a shot to keep him in Provo.
According to a Wednesday report from Joe Tipton of On3 Sports, the former BYU and Utah center plans to enter the portal as he weighs his options for a fifth season of eligibility. Tipton also noted that Keita “has not closed the door on a possible return to Provo,” and that matters for a BYU team with two open roster spots and a clear need in the middle.
Keita’s 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. Like former Cougars teammate Dallin Hall, who also entered the portal Wednesday, Keita is now taking advantage of that ruling and exploring what comes next.
The 6-8 senior was productive over two seasons at BYU after transferring from Utah, averaging 6.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He gave Kevin Young’s team a steady lob threat and a strong presence around the rim.
Keita had already taken a step toward the professional ranks after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers following the NBA draft. He also played well in summer league, but will now put that path on hold for one more college run.
Whether that next stop is BYU is still undecided. Young and his staff are also reportedly in the mix for Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler.
In Other News...
BYU Fans Now Face A Price Tag On A Familiar Gameday Tradition
BYU is putting a price on some of the football gameday extras that have long helped shape the atmosphere around the program. The school has rolled out paid fan experiences that include a visit from Cosmo, pregame on-field photoshoots and front-row access to the Cougar Walk, turning familiar perks into premium add-ons for supporters who want a closer view of the action.
The new setup is a clear shift from the days when those moments came included with the ticket and the tradition. With prices ranging from more than $160 to above $1,600, BYU is looking to monetize parts of the gameday experience that used to feel like a bonus for the faithful, and it adds a new layer to how fans will navigate a day at the stadium. [Read more 🡒]
BYU May Have Just Lost A Familiar Name In The O-Line Battle
A Colorado judges ruling this week created another wrinkle for college athletes who finished high school in 2022 and have already used up their eligibility, giving that group a chance to play one more season. Around BYU, the impact has already been felt in a couple of familiar places, with Keba Keita and Weylin Lapuaho both entering the transfer portal after the decision.
Lapuaho is especially notable for the Cougars because of what he brought to the offensive line during his time in Provo. A former BYU offensive guard and All-Big 12 selection, he has also spent time around the pro game through pro days and NFL team camps, while Keita has been working on the basketball side with NBA summer league. For BYU, the ruling adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to a roster battle that already had enough moving parts. [Read more 🡒]
BYU May Have A Difference Maker In Its Biggest Camp Battle
The first big camp question for BYUs defense sits at the hybrid F-back spot, where the Cougars are trying to sort out who can step into a role that carried real weight last season. Edge and linebackers coach Chad Kauhaahaa singled out sophomore Nusi Taumoepeau, the Stanford transfer, as a player whose growth has been obvious and whose ceiling remains intriguing, even as he made clear the job is still up for grabs. Taumoepeau is part of a competitive mix that also includes Hunter Clegg, Braxton Lindsey, Tausili Akana and Kendal Wall, all of whom have been pushing for notice in fall camp.
For BYU, the appeal is not just finding a body for the spot, but identifying someone who can help replace the production and versatility left behind by Jack Kelly. Kauhaahaas comments suggest Taumoepeau has positioned himself as one of the more compelling candidates in that search, but the staff is still sorting through the group before making any firm decisions. In a battle like this, promise can get a player in the conversation, but consistency will decide who ends up owning the role. [Read more 🡒]