BOSTON — BYU starting center Keba Keita left Saturday's 86-84 loss to UConn after suffering an injury in the first half and did not return.
Keita received a severe blow to the head and shoulder after colliding with Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. while chasing a loose ball. He needed help off the court with 8:51 left in the first half and headed to the locker room with a trainer.
BYU coach Kevin Young said after the game that he had no update on Keita's injury or his status going forward.
“It was determined pretty quickly that he wasn't going to come back,” Young said.
Keita has started 39 of 40 games since transferring from Utah to BYU in 2024 and is the Cougars' best defensive player. He played a crucial role in the team's inaugural victory over Villanova this season, posting 8 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Keita was averaging 6.7 points and 6.3 rebounds through Saturday.
No. 7 BYU was struggling to stop No. 3 UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. in the post with Keita on the ground, and that became even more pronounced once Keita left. Reed scored seven points in 7:45 and finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Young also said starting wing Kennard Davis, who was arrested on suspicion of DUI on Thursday following a crash in Provo, Utah, was held for a violation of team rules and the length of his suspension is to be determined.
UConn led by as many as 20 points in the second half before holding on to win by two points.
