Tulsa adds 7-1 St. John’s transfer to men’s basketball roster
TULSA –– The Golden Hurricane men’s basketball program officially added 7-1 transfer center Mohamed Keita to the 2023-24 roster, Tulsa men’s coach Eric Konkol announced Monday.
TULSA – The Golden Hurricane men’s basketball program officially added 7-1 transfer center Mohamed Keita to the 2023-24 roster, Tulsa men’s coach Eric Konkol announced Monday.
The St. John’s transfer comes to Tulsa after playing in only seven games due to injury as a true freshman last season, averaging 3.4 minutes per game. Keita made 3-of-3 field-goal attempts for six points and had two blocked shots on the year. He tallied four points to go with his first collegiate assist and steal against Long Island University.
Keita’s signing brings the total of Tulsa newcomers for the 2023-24 season to 11, including six four-year college transfers, two junior-college transfers and three prep seniors. Keita will have four years of eligibility remaining.
“We’re extremely excited that Mo is joining us here at The University of Tulsa,” Konkol said. “He has tremendous size and length, and can provide us rim protection with his shot-blocking and rebounding. He’s a product of the NBA Africa program and has grown tremendously over the last two years in the United States. We are very excited about the impact Mo can make in this program and the potential to continue to grow.”
A native of Conakry, Guinea, Keita spent his prep senior season at The Winchendon School in Winchendon, Mass., averaging 6.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game in the AA Division of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). He was also a member of the high honor roll at The Winchendon School.
Before that, Keita played with the Guinean SLAC team at the National Basketball Association’s Basketball Africa League (BAL). He averaged 6.4 points on 75-percent shooting to go along with five rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest during the spring of 2022. Keita tallied 12 points, eight boards and four blocks during the playoff quarterfinals.
Keita, who speaks six languages, also boasts experience on the international stage, playing for the Guinean Under-18 National Team. He averaged five points, six rebounds and 2.2 blocks in five games at the 2018 FIBA Age 18-and-Younger African Championship.
Keita is the seventh seven-footer in the history of the Tulsa basketball program. The first was seven-footer Tom Bender from 1964-67 and the tallest was Greg Ritter at 7-5 in 198889.
