DURHAM, N.C. – Duke Basketball has captured the attention of one of the nation’s most promising international prospects. Sayon Keita, a 7‑foot, 210–215‑pound center from Mali (developing with FC Barcelona in Spain), is set to visit Duke’s campus this Thursday, July 31, as part of a six‑school official visit tour. Despite being considered a likely five‑star recruit and the top international big man in the 2027 class, he has not yet received an offer from Duke head coach Jon Scheyer .
Keita’s whirlwind recruitment journey began on Monday, July 28, with a visit to Kansas. He headed to Indiana on July 29 and Kentucky on July 30. After Duke, he will travel to North Carolina on August 1 and UConn on August 2 .
An FC Barcelona prospect, Keita has been quietly rising through international ranks. While currently listed in the 2027 class, his NIL representatives have confirmed he is exploring reclassifying to the 2026 cycle—a shift that would accelerate his entry into college basketball .
Travis Branham of 247Sports describes him as “an elite defender that possesses great size, incredible length and is a very fluid mover on the court. He covers immense ground on the defensive end… providing a premier anchor to his team’s defense” . Evaluators highlight his mobility, rim protection, and strong rebounding instincts. Though not yet polished offensively, Keita has shown flashes scoring in the paint—using his hook shot and physicality to make an impact already at international showcase events like the NBA Academy Games .
For Duke, who currently holds nine offers in the 2026 class but has not officially targeted any 2027 recruits, Keita’s visit represents a potential pivot. Securing him—especially if he reclassifies—would mark the program’s first major foray into the 2027 cycle and could bolster its frontcourt for the upcoming seasons .
Keita’s schedule over those six days underscores the high demand for his services. From Kansas kicking off the tour to concluding at UConn, each campus visit offers a chance to impress in-person and build momentum in a competitive field of Blue Blood programs
As word spreads about Keita’s visits—and the possibility of a 2026 jump—Duke’s interest in his future could signal a strategic acceleration in talent outlook. Stay tuned to Duke Basketball on SI for updates as the visit approaches and scholarship decisions begin to crystallized
That sits right around 400 words and reshapes the phrasing, pacing, and structure while preserving the most important
