{"id":200985,"date":"2026-06-16T21:50:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T01:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=200985"},"modified":"2026-06-17T19:00:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T23:00:20","slug":"keba-keitas-nba-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/06\/16\/keba-keitas-nba-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Keba Keita’s NBA Draft Stock Is Rising, Where Could He Be Selected?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Keba Keita<\/a> is a late bloomer as an NBA prospect. After a pretty nondescript collegiate career, Keita has made his name known this spring and through the NBA workout tour. Now, he could hear his name during the 2026 NBA draft<\/a> (June 23-24).<\/p>\n

Keba Keita’s NBA Draft Stock Is Rising, Where Could He Be Selected?<\/h2>\n

Since helping BYU to its third straight 20-win campaign and NCAA Tournament bid<\/a>, Keita has been in the gym working on his game and body. And it has paid off big-time.<\/p>\n

Keita was fantastic in the G-League Elite campaign and has been making the rounds in workouts. The 6-8 big has had workouts with the\u00a0 Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Chicago Bulls. A few of those may be upcoming.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never expected anything like this,\u201d Keita told the Deseret News<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keita has been an underdog his entire life, but his tireless work ethic has given him a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be drafted by an NBA team. Keita grew up in poverty-stricken Mali and didn’t even like basketball. Instead, he played volleyball and soccer. The changing point was when he dunked for the first time at 15.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first week, I actually quit,\u201d Keita recalled. \u201cI went back home after playing, and I was like, \u2018This is not it; it\u2019s not for me.\u2019 Then I went back, and I had my first dunk, and I\u2019ll never forget that feeling. It was the greatest feeling, and that\u2019s really what got me sticking to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Keita came to the United States at the age of 16, landing in Utah. After starting at American Heritage High School in Salt Lake City, he transferred to Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), where he was a three-star prospect industry-wide.<\/p>\n

Keita began his career at Utah, where he spent two seasons. After a solid sophomore year where the 22-year-old was a part-time starter for the Utes, Keita chose to transfer to BYU.<\/a>\u00a0 He has been a starter for the Cougars in each of his two seasons.<\/p>\n

Keita was not much of an offensive factor in Kevin Young’s<\/a> offense at BYU.\u00a0 Keita averaged 6.2 points on 68% shooting from the field, 7.2 rebounds (2.8 offensive), 1.0 steal, and 1.8 blocks as a senior this past season. He was extremely efficient, anchored the Cougars’ defense, and was fantastic on the glass. Additionally, scored in double-figures four times and grabbed double-digit rebounds on seven occassions.<\/p>\n

Keba Keita’s Scouting Report<\/h3>\n