Michael Malone and the Tar Heels strike AGAIN!
North Carolina went shopping abroad and found their match, winning 7-footer’s pledge. Keita Sayon.
Few players in the world has the talent that Keita possesses. Keita, who is just 18 years old, has already shown that he can run the floor at a very high level, finish at the rim, and use his 7-foot stature to block shots in the post.
The scouting director of Draft Express, Jon Chepkevich, gave the newest player in the UNC basketball team nothing but praise:
“Seven-footer with 7-5 wingspan from Bamako, Mali. Talented, mobile, fluid. Needs to add to his frame and polish his technique, but the upside is through the roof. Among the top 2008-born international prospects. Has been in Spain with Barcelona for a few years now. Made his ACB debut last season the day after his 17th birthday. Was impressive at last year’s NBPA Top 100 Camp. Has a lot to work with and is by all accounts a great kid with the right approach.”
He was given an official visit to Chapel Hill by North Carolina, which has been actively involved in his recruitment for a considerable amount of time. UNC’s interest persisted even after Hubert Davis was replaced as coach by Michael Malone. He certainly has the makeup to take Henri Veesaar’s place as the program’s starting center for the 2026–2027 season, so the new staff may have liked him as a potential even more than the previous administration did.
You can tell how hard the Tar Heels were trying to sign Keita (and possibly other international talents as well) by the supposed business trip Malone took to Spain.
Fans of the Tar Heels can now exhale a little because the team has found a very competent starting big man to cover the significant vacuum left by Veesaar’s departure. The roster is beginning to take shape, and it’s thrilling to consider how excellent this squad may be if everything works as it should.
