BYU Basketball Recruiting Notebook, 5/5: Keba Keita, Chaz Lanier, Other Targets

After the Suns exit from the NBA playoffs and Big 12 meetings in Phoenix, BYU head coach Kevin Young has finally been able to put 100% of his focus on BYU the last several days.

BYU has several targets and contingency plans, but below are a few of the top targets the staff is eyeing.

Keba Keita, Utah

Demand is high and supply is relatively low for big men, and Keba Keita saw the result of that as soon as he entered the portal late on May 1. Keba received significant NIL offers from schools, but BYU remains a strong possibility. Multiple sources tell me that Keba is coming to BYU Monday for an official visit. Keba’s local ties (he went to Wasatch Academy), friendship with Fouss and other players, and of course his relationship with new assistant Chris Burgess are all big factors in BYU’s favor. BYU has some competition, but as of right now I would call BYU the favorites to land Keba.

I’m a big fan of Keba’s game. Keita started in 13 of 35 games for Utah this season, averaging 8.3 points, 5.4 boards, and 1.1 blocks in just 16 minutes per game. According to KenPom, Keba was second in Pac-12 play in offensive rebounding percentage, 10th in defensive rebounding percentage, 5th in block percentage and 8th in fouls drawn per 40 minutes. Keba average just 16 minutes per game in part due to foul trouble; he averaged 5.3 fouls per 40 minutes.

He is just 6-foot-8, but he plays much bigger with his wingspan and athleticism. Keba is primarily a 5 and brings a different skillset than Fouss. Fouss can score on the low-block, while Keba gets his points from rim running and offensive rebounding. Kevin Young will likely operate a lot of pick-and-roll, and Keba would fit right in as a rim runner.

You can watch highlights of BYU below.

Chaz Lanier, North Florida

Lanier is someone you may not be familiar with, but he is one of the most productive guards in the country. 247 Sports rates him as the 10th best transfer this cycle; for context, Jaxson Robinson is rated as the 35th best transfer.

A 6-foot-4 guard, Lanier combines both production and efficiency. This last season he averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 boards, and 1.8 assists on 51% shooting from the floor, 44% from three, and 88% from the foul line. Lanier does that with volume. He averaged 7.5 threes per game and made 106 on the season. His 44% 3-point shooting was 5th best in the country.

Sources tell me that BYU had a Zoom call with Lanier on Sunday (today) and has a legitimate chance with Lanier. Kevin Young has shown Lanier what he did with Devin Booker and envisions Lanier having that type of role at BYU. Young’s NBA experience and pedigree is a huge draw to Lanier as he tries to improve his NBA prospects, and BYU is putting together a competitive NIL offer as well. Lanier has a lot of suitors from top schools, but sources tell me BYU is right in there among the top schools to land Lanier; Kentucky and Tennessee are pushing hard as well and are considered two of the favorites. The next step BYU needs to hit to land Lanier is getting him on campus for a visit.

Lanier has one year of eligibility remaining. If BYU were to land Lanier, he’d be a featured part of the offense and contend for All Big 12 honors.

You can watch highlights of Lanier below.

Other to Watch

• Berke Buyuktuncel, UCLA — The 6-foot-9 Turkish forward was hobbled by injuries his freshman season, but he showed flashes why is a NBA prospect. Berke started 8 of 26 games he played in for the Bruins, averaging 4.5 and 2.5 boards. Berke can put the ball on the floor and has the ability to knock down the three ball.

Berke is a high upside player with NBA potential; in ESPN’s latest 2025 NBA mock draft they projected him to go 42 overall. Berke may not be on the top of BYU’s board but he is a guy they are pursuing.

• Elijah Crawford, Stanford Signee — A 6-foot-1 point guard, Crawford signed with Stanford back in November as part of the 2023 class. Crawford is rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and 247’s composite rankings. Crawford is still signed with Stanford, but he signed with the previous staff when Brandon Dunson was an assistant who led his recruitment. If Crawford or Stanford’s current staff has different thoughts, BYU is one to watch for here due to Dunson’s relationship with Crawford.

• International Players — BYU is talking with several international players. International players typically don’t sign until summer, so it could be until June or July until we hear of a signing. Sources have told me BYU is keeping at least one spot held for an international player, but there could be more depending on who BYU adds in the transfer portal. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the international players is a big man.