Michael Malone won an NBA Championship with Nikola Jokic in Denver, so he’s no stranger to international talent. So, after losing Henri Veesaar to the NBA Draft, it seems Malone has made a trip across the pond to find a European replacement at center.
FC Barcelona center Sayon Keita visited Chapel Hill last August when Hubert Davis was interested in making the 7-foot Malian 18-year-old a Tar Heel. Now, he’s on Malone’s radar as a potential answer at the five. Malone is reportedly in Barcelona recruiting Keita, along with another European target for the Tar Heels.
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Sayon Keita visited Carolina last August & he just might be part of the Henri Veesaar replacement plan!
LINK: https://t.co/OeWalFhwzl pic.twitter.com/1WQwcotmxt
UNC wants Sayon Keita as its Henri Veesaar replacement
On Monday, UNC landed a commitment from Northwestern transfer center Cade Bennerman, a 7-footer from Nashville, Tennessee, who redshirted last season in Evanston. Bennerman has four years of eligibility remaining and projects as a developmental piece for Malone and his staff.
He may be forced into a larger role than that, however, if UNC is unable to land a more ready-made starting center. Maybe one like Keita, who has played two professional seasons for FC Barcelona, appearing in 18 games and averaging just over six minutes.
At 215 pounds, Keita still needs to add some weight to handle the rigors of a full college basketball season in the ACC, but he’s ahead of Bennerman in that respect. With the portal dried after and other international options like Miikka Muurinen off the board, Keita is clearly the top target left for Malone, so he needs to close the deal while over in Spain.
Still, he’s not the only international big on Malone’s radar.
Malone may be going head-to-head with Jon Scheyer for Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje
Like Keita, Boumtje Boumtje is a Class of 2027 recruit for now, but like Keita, he would likely reclassify to join the roster next season. A 7-foot, 230-pound center, Boumtje Boumtje has played exclusively for FC Barcelona’s developemental team. He turns 17 next month.
Boumtje Boumtje has a refined skillset in the post and the ability to space the floor. That’s an intriguing skillset when paired with his impressive frame, and it has attracted significant attention, including from Duke.
Last offseason, Duke pried Dame Sarr away from FC Barcelona, and now Scheyer is reportedly interested in doing the same with Boumtje Boumtje to round out his roster for the 2026-27 season.
It seems that Malone will meet with both Keita and Boumtje Boumtje, and if he manages to land both, he’ll have one of the most high-upside front courts in the country, but with major questions about their immediate impact next season.
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