Tar Heel fans are already overly excited about the addition of international big man Sayon Keita, but the national media just keeps adding to the hype ahead of his arrival in Chapel Hill.
Jamie Shaw adds to the excitement of the Sayon Keita addition
On a recent episode of the New Gen Hoops podcast, Jamie Shaw of Rivals spoke about why the addition of Keita makes so much sense for Michael Malone and the Tar Heels.
Watching Sayon Keita, I understand the bet UNC is making.
— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) May 7, 2026
Length. Motor. Defensive tools. Fluid athlete — the defensive translation is clear.
That’s the 98 5-star type profile.
Offensively is still the swing piece. https://t.co/mHdelgY3r5 pic.twitter.com/RsyIdrXhZe
"Sayon Keita is different. 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. 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."
Of course, Keita is a bit of a risk, given that he is considered to be a raw prospect at this stage in his basketball journey. However, the upside is absolutely sky-high, as he has the potential to be an elite-level NBA Draft prospect once his time at the collegiate level comes to a close.
Based on how the roster currently shapes up, Keita is expected to be heavily relied on from the moment he gets to campus, as he'll have plenty of opportunities to learn and develop under a coaching staff that brings both collegiate and NBA experience to the table.
It's hard not to get excited about Keita, especially given how many national analysts talk about his skill set. Many claim he is a five-star talent, and the film tells a similar tale, as Tar Heel fans are anxious to see him in action this upcoming season for the UNC basketball program.
