UNC head coach Mike Malone has a prospect in the wings who can become exactly the kind of interior presence the Tar Heels need. According to recruiting analyst David Sisk, the talent is five-star international center prospect Sayon Keita.
The 7-foot center from Mali has developed in FC Barcelona’s system. He committed to the Tar Heels in April.
Talking on the Heel Report, Sisk mentioned that he watched the film on Keita and came to the conclusion that he can be the “big body banger” North Carolina needs inside the paint.
“I watched him three full games yesterday,” Sisk said. “So, I watched over six hours of him yesterday against Real Madrid, and it was different than I thought. So, we’ve addressed it here, if North Carolina added to the roster, what do they need to do? And I said, ‘Look, they’ve got to get somebody physical inside. They’ve got to get a big body banger.’ You’ve heard me say that over and over and over. I think he can be that.”
Another Analyst Talks Big on Michael Malone’s International “Big Body Banger”
With Neoklis Avdalas, Terrence Brown, and Matt Able in the backcourt, Malone’s roster feels a lot more settled than the situation is in the frontcourt. To get a defensive star in the paint, five-star Sayon Keita was added.
Rivals’ Jamie Shaw recently highlighted the upside UNC can enjoy with Keita in the frontcourt. He shared what he’s good at and how the Tar Heels can maximize his defensive upside.
“Sayon Keita is different,” Shaw said. “He’s someone with immense defensive upside. He’s somebody who you see is a fluid mover. He’s a unique mover for a guy his size. He’s able to turn, he’s able to move rim to rim. He runs incredibly well.”
“He’s got a lot of pop in his game as well when it comes to explosive bursts,” Shaw added. “He can move both laterally and vertically in a unique manner. The offensive game is still a little bit raw. He’s more of a dunker spot guy right now, maybe a rim runner, finishing put-backs into the front of the rim and all that stuff.”
In his time playing in the professional league in Spain, Keita averaged 2.0 blocks per game, which says a lot about how great he can be in college basketball next season.
Read More News:
Darius Acuff Jr Sets a Challenge for Himself vs Stephen Curry And Kyrie Irving
WATCH: Milan Momcilovic’s Kentucky Arrival Turns Into Carmaker Ford’s Advantage
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in College Football, Men’s College Basketball, Women’s College Basketball, and College Baseball!
