BYU Hoops Nonconference Superlatives: Keba Keita is BYU's most likely to volleyball spike an opponent's soul

BYU had a fantastic nonconference slate going 12-1 with quality wins against Villanova, Wisconsin, Miami, Dayton, and Clemson. The purpose of those 13 games was to prepare Kevin Young's squad for the buzzsaw that is Big 12 conference play which tips off on January 3rd against Kansas State. 

But before looking ahead to conference play, let's take a look back and give out some superlatives to BYU's key players. Today's spotlight is on senior center Keba Keita.

Keba's Nonconference Superlative: Most likely to volleyball spike an opponent's soul

If you care enough about BYU basketball to read this article, you already know that center Keba Keita is considered undersized for his position at just 6-foot-8.

You also already know that despite his height, he's a fearsome shot blocker.

In just 20.3 minutes per game over this year's nonconference schedule, Keba Keita is averaging an outstanding 1.8 blocks per game. Last year Keta averaged 1.2 blocks in 21 minutes per game, so he's rejecting more shots than ever in this his final college basketball season.

And it's not just that Keba Keita blocks shots, it's how he does it. He doesn't just get a hand on the ball, he often volleyball spikes them into another dimension.

Keita's blocks are a thing of violent beauty.

He also mangled a rim earlier this year on a vicious dunk. Keba not only looks like he's chiseled out of granite like a Greek god, he plays with that same amount of otherworldly power.

What BYU needs from Keba Keita in Big 12 conference play

While the volleyball spikes and bent rims are the fun part of Keba Keita's game for us as viewers at home, there's more to his arsenal that just a few powerful, splashy plays each game. Despite playing just over 20 minutes per game, Keita isn't just BYU's leading shot blocker, he also leads the team with 7.4 rebounds per game.

And what BYU needs from Keba Keita against Big 12 opponents can be summarized in two words: Defensive rebounding!

Earlier I compared Keita's physique to that of a Greek god. One of the most infamous Greek characters was Achilles, the mortal hero with the vulnerable heel. The 2025-26 BYU Cougars, like Achilles, have one potentially fatal weak spot, and that's the rate at which their opponents corral offensive rebounds.

BYU's team defensive rebounding percentage of 74.9% ranks just 66th in the country and the Cougars have surrendered far too many second chance points.

BYU beat Miami despite giving up a staggering 15 offensive rebounds. Clemson grabbed 14 offensive boards in the Cougars buzzer-beater victory over the Tigers. Heck, even Cal Baptist corralled 10 offensive rebounds against the Cougars.

While the volleyball spikes are nice, Keba Keita needs to own the defensive glass for BYU this year. The Cougars won't be able to give a plethora of second chances to teams like Arizona and Houston.

Keba Keita has been solid on the glass in this his senior season.

In Big 12 play, BYU will need him to be dominant.