BYU basketball's head coach Kevin Young gave us a lot of information to work with during a recent media availability. From AJ Dybantsa and his projections in the NBA Draft to the team's recent history and success in lifting its players to the next level, the Cougars' coach has plenty to be proud of. After all, he arrived at Provo under the promise of elevating the program to not only national relevance at the collegiate level, but as the premier location for prospects to develop and prepare for a career at the highest level.
That was all right there in the script -- no one was surprised by these comments.
But what caught my attention was when Young turned his focus to Keba Keita. According to Kevin Young, an individual closely tied to many in the NBA after spending many years as an assistant coach at that level, BYU basketball has a third player getting attention from NBA teams after exceptional pre-draft workouts put him on the map.
That player isn't AJ Dybantsa or Richie Saunders; it's Keba Keita.
Keba Keita is getting NBA attention
In a radio interview with a Wisconsin sports channel, I once described Keba Keita as "Zion Williamson without ball skills", and during his junior season, that's exactly who Keita was. A defensive force and athletic freak, Keba was airborne for much of his junior year -- both on offense and defense. He was fast, athletic, and most of all, pure concentrated power.
Injuries and a difference in role sank Keita into something unrecognizable, but according to Kevin Young, BYU's undersized center is getting attention from NBA teams after an incredible pre-draft display.
"And Keba, honestly, has had some great pre-draft workouts, too," Young shared with the media. "Everywhere I go, I see NBA people, and they're talking about how good he showed out in his workouts. I think he's someone who's helped himself out in the process and we'll see what that looks like for him, as well."
Three future NBA players in two years?
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 17, 2026
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Kevin Young says that's what he sees for BYU Men's Hoops.
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It'd be a remarkable run for the Cougars—and another sign of how far basketball in Utah has come.#byu #cougarnation #byuhoops #nba pic.twitter.com/bXzoOFpLs2
Keba Keita had an incredible 19 and 10 output during a G-League showcase that featured other exceptional players from the collegiate ranks. He grabbed attention from that outing, and it'll be fascinating to see if he can find a spot in either the G-League or if he can manage to work his way into the NBA some day.
Boxscore from Game 3 of the G League Combine.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 10, 2026
Another impressive outing from Israeli guard Noam Yaacov
19+10 for BYU's Keba Keita.
Some good moments for Gonzaga's Graham Ike. pic.twitter.com/oTqzkeMMiv
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