Michael Malone and UNC get the Sayon Keita news they've been anxiously waiting for

Throughout the summer, fans of the UNC basketball program have been anxiously awaiting international big man Sayon Keita's arrival in Chapel Hill.

Keita, a native of Bamako, Mali, had to go through the typical visa process to get to the States, and that process has taken longer than Tar Heel fans would've liked. After last season, where Luka Bogavac was literally cleared 30 minutes before the season opener, it's safe to say that everyone is hoping for a clear path to Keita suiting up for the UNC basketball program this upcoming season.

Well, good news, Tar Heels fans. Keita is en route to Chapel Hill!

Sayon Keita clears the visa process, is en route to UNC

Inside Carolina broke the news on Saturday afternoon that Keita has officially cleared the visa process. This will allow the seven-foot freshman big man to travel to Chapel Hill, as he is expected to be on campus before classes begin on Monday, August 17.

PHEW!

Keita committed to UNC on April 28, a major addition to Michael Malone's roster rebuild ahead of his first season at the helm. He comes to Chapel Hill with professional experience under his belt, having played in Spain over the past four years (most recently for FC Barcelona) last year.

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Of course, North Carolina would've liked him to be on campus for at least some of the summer workouts, but no one is going to complain about the outcome. Now, the Tar Heels can get him acclimated to his new home while helping him prepare for the upcoming season, as we'll now get a better look of just how he can impact this year's team.

The good news is that Keita is familiar with the campus, having made an official visit last summer, so it won't be like it's his first time in Chapel Hill, hopefully making the transition a bit smoother for him.

Keita will compete with South Dakota transfer Cameron Fens and fellow international big man Alexandros Samodurov for minutes in the frontcourt this season, but based on the hype surrounding him, don't be surprised if he plays significant minutes for this year's team.

Considered an elite shot blocker, Keita provides the Tar Heels with a guy who can alter shots and make life difficult for opponents in the post. While he still needs to fill out his frame a bit, Keita is considered one of those guys who is destined for the NBA once everything gels together.

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This is major news for the UNC basketball program, as the final piece of the 2026-2027 roster will now officially join his team on campus. It's happening at an ideal time, given that classes are starting up and the season is quickly approaching.

The final hurdle will be NCAA clearance for the international big man, as we hope to avoid another Bogavac situation that lingers right up until the start of the regular season.

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