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...
Kalani Sitake Just Raised The Pressure On BYU's 2026 Season
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For BYU, the pressure is not just about wins and rankings, but about whether the program can keep meeting expectations while navigating the financial realities that come with building a competitive team. Kalani Sitake has been candid about the challenge ahead, and his comments only sharpen the scrutiny on what the Cougars are trying to do in 2026, especially with Utah also entering a new era and the rivalry carrying even more weight than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Utah Camp Battle Is Giving The Utes Exactly What They Need
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Quarterback Devon Dampier and offensive lineman Solatoa Moea'i have both pointed to the energy around practice, while Utah's first scrimmage came off as evenly matched and productive. The Utes are still working through situational mechanics, which is usually where camp habits turn into real progress, and the next layer of the competition is whether the offense can keep answering as the tests get more specific. [Read more 🡒]
Utah Enters The Big 12 Debate With A Frustrating New Reality
Repeating as a Big 12 champion is no small task, and Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire put that into perspective by noting only two programs have managed it since the league's current run began in 1996. For Utah, that kind of backdrop matters as it settles into a conference that does not hand out easy paths, especially with a new head coach in Morgan Scalley and expectations that already point toward a more difficult climb.
Stewart Mandels Big 12 preview adds to the early skepticism, picking BYU to win the conference and earn the leagues College Football Playoff bid while slotting Houston and Texas Tech behind the Cougars. Utah is projected to finish 7-5, a reminder that the Utes are entering the debate with plenty still to prove before they can talk like a team ready to contend at the top of the standings. [Read more 🡒]