Overview
- Keita's pledge, reported Tuesday by ESPN's Jonathan Givony, followed campus visits to Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana and UConn.
- The 18-year-old from Mali plays for FC Barcelona and is rated a five-star international recruit.
- North Carolina needed a starting center after Henri Veesaar entered the 2026 NBA draft, and Keita also arrives as Northwestern transfer Cade Bennerman joins the frontcourt.
- The commitment fits Michael Malone's early rebuild after his recent hire, with transfers Neoklis Avdalas, Terrence Brown, Maxim Logue and Matt Able plus high school signees Maximo Adams and Malloy Smith.
- He logged six EuroLeague games for Barcelona at 58% shooting with 10.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and Bleacher Report ranks him No. 8 among 2027 draft prospects.