Mark Pope has said there is nothing to worry about with 2026 recruiting, but if you look at the facts, the Big Blue Nation has reason to be anxious.
Five-star forward Christian Collins was close to signing before reopening his recruitment. The No. 1 player in the country, Tyran Stokes, appeared to be a lock for Lexington, but that momentum has stalled. Now, Kansas is picking up "Crystal Ball" predictions to land the top player in the class.
But it isn't all bad news. Kentucky is still firmly in the mix for elite guards Jordan Smith and Caleb Holt. And now, sources indicate the staff is recalibrating to target a massive talent with a unique background: Sayon Keita.
Who is Sayon Keita?
Keita is not your typical high school recruit. He is a 7-foot, 17-year-old center whose rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric.
Keita grew up in Bamako, Mali, and didn't even start playing organized basketball until 2020. That year, at age 12, he was discovered in the streets by staff from the Dreams Academy, a youth development program founded by NBA champion Serge Ibaka. His height and natural agility were impossible to ignore, and he was immediately enrolled in a sports and nutrition program designed to prepare him for European competition.
By February 2022, he had moved to Spain to join the youth ranks of Movistar Estudiantes. His potential was so obvious that powerhouse FC Barcelona signed him in the summer of 2023.
Professional pedigree
Unlike most recruits in the 2026 class who are playing against high schoolers, Keita is already logging minutes against grown men in the second-best league in the world.
While primarily playing for FC Barcelona B, Keita made his professional debut for the senior team in March 2025 during a Liga ACB win against CB Breogán. Injuries to the main roster opened a door, and Keita kicked it down.
On October 14, 2025, he made his EuroLeague debut, starting in an away win against Maccabi Tel Aviv. In 16 minutes of action on the biggest stage in Europe, he held his own, recording four points and two rebounds.
Why Kentucky basketball is targeting a player with only 6 years of pro experience
At 7-foot tall and just 17 years old, Keita is still raw, but his ceiling is astronomical. He possesses the kind of fluid athleticism and rim-running ability that Mark Pope craves in his centers.
If Kentucky misses on Stokes, landing a prospect with EuroLeague experience and the seal of approval from Serge Ibaka would be a massive pivot, and perhaps exactly what this class needs.