Hilltopper Basketball Signs Nebraska Transfer Blaise Keita

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU men's basketball has announced the signing of University of Nebraska transfer Blaise Keita. A native of Bamako, Republic of Mali and a former junior college standout, Keita joins the Hilltoppers' roster for 2024-25 after spending two seasons in Lincoln competing for the Cornhuskers.

Prior to missing the 2023-24 season due to an injury, Keita competed in 21 games for the Huskers in 2022-23. Before his time at Nebraska, Keita spent two seasons at Coffeyville CC and was regarded as one of the nation's top JUCO prospects in the 2022 signing class. Keita was a four-star selection by Rivals and ranked as a top-five JUCO player by 247Sports and JUCORecruiting.

In Keita's first season with Coffeyville, the native of Mali helped lead the Red Ravens to a 26-3 overall record and an NJCAA National Championship in 2020-21. Keita was named the Jayhawk Conference Freshman of the Year and garnered second-team all-region honors while charting 10.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest for the season.

Keita posted 14.8 points per game on 65 percent shooting with 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks for the team's postseason run in 2020-21. In the NJCAA title game, Keita poured in a career-high 27 points off 13-of-16 shooting with nine rebounds and four blocks.

2022-23 saw Keita return from injury and help Coffeyville to an 18-13 record after starting just 5-8 without the second-year big's presence. After averaging 12.8 points off a 52 percent clip, 9.8 rebounds per contest and a total of five double-doubles on the year, Keita earned Second-Team All-Jayhawk Conference honors and was named to the conference's all-defensive team.

Keita competed for Sunrise Christian (Kan.) on the school's postgrad team and played AAU with MOKAN Elite prior to entering junior college competition. Keita also represented his country at the international level, competing for the Mali U19 team at the 2017 FIBA World Cup and averaging a double-double with 10.2 points and 10.3 rebounds through six games.

"Blaise is a champion," head coach Hank Plona said. "He's a champion on the court, off the court, and will continue to be a champion in his future. We are excited about the chance to coach Blaise, and excited about what he adds to next year's Hilltopper Basketball team."

Keita is the second transfer signee to be announced by Plona for the Tops' 2024 signing class.

"Blaise has made a huge impact on teams winning and will be an important part of our team," Plona said. "It's going to be awesome seeing him back on the court having fun, and Hilltopper fans will love watching the joy that Blaise has playing basketball. We are excited for Blaise's future here on The Hill."

Follow the team on social media (@wkubasketball) for the latest news and updates on all things Hilltopper Basketball, and visit wkusports.com for more information.

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