Four-star forward Sedee Keita signs with USC
Coming to South Carolina led Sedee Keita to the University of South Carolina.
The 6-9 power forward, who is from Philadelphia, signed with the Gamecocks on Wednesday during a ceremony at Shannon Forest Christian School in Greenville.
Keita is in his second season playing for 22ft Basketball Academy, based in Greenville. He was mostly being recruited by schools from the northeast before Frank Martin and USC got involved when he moved to the upstate.
“I came down here and it was good training. South Carolina saw me, and I saw South Carolina too. It was good,” he said. “It’s been a good process being able to sign and do all this. It was stress free. It’s been great.”
Keita committed to South Carolina last week, choosing the Gamecocks over Providence, Temple and Penn State.
He said the opportunity to play for Martin and for an up and coming program made the difference for him.
“Coach Martin is a great coach. It was fun hanging with him and experiencing what he really is,” Keita said. “They’ve been recruiting really hard and getting some good players in. They’re going up right now. P.J. (Dozier) is there, and I like the players there. I think they’re headed in the right direction.”
Keita is ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 78 overall player in the country by ESPN. Rivals and 247Sports also rank Keita as a four-star recruit.
Keita’s coach, Ryan Schmidt, said he believes Keita can help immediately, especially on defense. He said Keita and USC freshman Chris Silva will be tough to score against in the post.
“Sedee’s a great kid first and foremost, a hard worker. I think the biggest thing that he brings to the table right away is his defense, his versatility. He moves really, really well for his size,” Schmidt said.
“He’s got a really nice skill set. He just needs to continue to build confidence on the offensive end. I think he’ll get there… But I think his defense and ability to defend multiple positions will allow him to get on the court early.”
Growing up, Keita thought if he played sports in college it would be on the field instead of on the court. His first love was soccer, and he did not play organized basketball until the eighth grade.
“At first it was kind of farfetched because I wasn’t really that good at basketball,” he said. “It’s been quick. I started getting my first offers when I was in 10th grade and then now I’m signing already.”
Keita’s coaches, teammates and family members were in attendance for his signing. His family drove 10 hours from Philadelphia overnight to watch him sign.
“It’s really special. It’s something to remember,” he said. “It’s great having my parents here.”
This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 1:43 PM.