When Keba Keita collapsed to the floor mid-court during a tense first-half scramble, the crowd at what was likely the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, fell silent. The Brigham Young University center, a 6’10” anchor for the Cougars, had just taken a brutal hit to his head and shoulder after colliding with Silas Demary Jr., a quick-footed guard for the Washington Huskies. The collision, caught on video and later shared across social media, ended Keita’s night—and raised urgent questions about player safety in the high-speed chaos of NCAA basketball.
What Happened on the Court?
It was a routine loose ball chase—nothing out of the ordinary, at least on paper. With under eight minutes left in the first half, a pass bounced off the rim, and both Keita and Demary Jr. lunged for it. Keita, trying to secure the rebound, came down hard as Demary Jr. shifted his weight to block the path. The impact wasn’t a foul call. No whistle blew. But the result was immediate: Keita stayed down, clutching his head, his body visibly stiff. Medical staff rushed out. He was helped to his feet, but didn’t walk off on his own. He needed assistance. He never returned.
ESPN’s truncated report—“Keita took a hard hit to his head and shoulder area... He needed to...”—suggests the severity wasn’t immediately clear, even to those on the sidelines. The FOX Sports YouTube Shorts video, uploaded within minutes of the incident, labeled it an “apparent injury,” a phrase that carries weight in sports reporting. It implies observation, not diagnosis. And that’s the problem. In a game where concussions can hide behind bruises, “apparent” is the first word, not the last.
Who Are the Players Involved?
Keba Keita, a senior from Senegal, has been the emotional and physical centerpiece of BYU’s frontcourt since transferring from Texas Tech in 2022. He averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds last season—numbers that spiked in conference play. His presence on the block was a major reason BYU was ranked in the top 25 before this game. He wasn’t just a scorer; he was a deterrent. Opponents adjusted their entire offensive game plan around him.
Silas Demary Jr., a 5’10” junior from Seattle, is the kind of player coaches love—unafraid, relentless, and always in the mix. He averaged 8.3 points per game this season and led the Huskies in steals. His style is aggressive, often bordering on reckless. But he’s never been flagged for flagrant fouls. This collision wasn’t intentional. It was basketball. Just too fast, too physical, too close.
Why This Matters Beyond One Game
College basketball doesn’t have a concussion protocol as public or as scrutinized as the NFL’s. There’s no mandatory sideline concussion evaluation in real time. There’s no independent neurologist on the bench. Coaches and trainers make decisions under pressure—with tournament implications, recruiting, and fan expectations looming. Keita’s exit wasn’t just a loss for BYU’s lineup. It was a reminder that the game’s physicality is often underestimated.
And it’s not an isolated case. In 2022, Zach Edey of Purdue suffered a head injury in a similar collision, missing three games. In 2021, Jalen Suggs of Gonzaga was knocked out of a game after a hard fall, sparking national debate over player safety. Yet, the NCAA still doesn’t require baseline concussion testing for all athletes—only for those who’ve had prior injuries. That’s a gap.
What’s Next for BYU and Keita?
BYU’s coaching staff, led by Mark Pope, issued no statement immediately after the game. The team went on to win 78–71, but without Keita, their interior defense crumbled in the second half. Washington’s offense, which had struggled to score inside all night, capitalized with easy putbacks.
As of now, there’s no official update on Keita’s condition. No MRI results have been released. No return timeline has been hinted at. The NCAA doesn’t require schools to disclose injury details unless a player is out for the season. But fans are asking. Teammates are worried. And if Keita misses time, BYU’s chances in the NCAA Tournament—already a long shot—could evaporate.
The Bigger Picture: Safety in a Fast Game
College basketball is faster than ever. Players are stronger. The pace is relentless. And the rules? They haven’t kept up. There’s no penalty for a defender driving into a rebounder’s landing space. No automatic flagrant for head contact during loose-ball scrambles. Coaches preach “play hard,” but rarely “play smart.”
What happened to Keita wasn’t a dirty play. It was a perfect storm of momentum, timing, and physicality. And it’s happening more often. The NCAA needs to act—not with harsh penalties, but with better protocols. Mandatory sideline concussion checks. Independent medical observers. Real-time video review for head impacts.
Because if we keep saying “it’s just basketball,” we’re ignoring the fact that these athletes are risking their long-term health for a game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keba Keita expected to return this season?
As of now, no official update has been released by BYU Athletics regarding Keita’s return timeline. Given the nature of the collision—head and shoulder impact—and the lack of a public diagnosis, it’s likely he’s undergoing concussion protocol. If he’s cleared, he may return in 7–14 days, but if symptoms persist, he could miss the remainder of the season, including the NCAA Tournament.
Did Silas Demary Jr. face any disciplinary action?
No disciplinary action was taken against Demary Jr. by the NCAA or the Pac-12 Conference. The collision occurred during a legitimate play for a loose ball, with no evidence of excessive force or intent. Referees did not call a foul, and conference officials have not reviewed the play for potential suspension.
Why wasn’t this play reviewed for a possible concussion?
Unlike the NFL or NBA, NCAA basketball does not currently have a centralized concussion spotter system or mandatory video review for head impacts. The decision to remove a player rests solely with team trainers and medical staff, who may not always have the time or resources to act swiftly. This incident highlights a systemic gap in player safety protocols.
How does this affect BYU’s NCAA Tournament chances?
BYU’s tournament hopes were already slim, but losing Keita—a top rebounder and interior defender—makes them significantly less competitive. Without him, teams can exploit their lack of size, especially in the paint. Even if they qualify for the tournament, they’d be a dangerous but vulnerable 11- or 12-seed, likely eliminated in the first round.
Has this kind of injury happened to other BYU players before?
Yes. In 2020, forward Caleb Lohner suffered a concussion after a similar collision during a game against San Diego State. He missed the final three games of the season. BYU’s athletic department has since improved its medical response team, but protocols remain inconsistent with those of Power Five schools. Keita’s injury may push them to adopt stricter guidelines.
What are fans and experts saying about player safety in college basketball?
Many former players and medical professionals are calling for change. Former NBA trainer Dr. Michael Yessis told ESPN, “We treat basketball like it’s a low-risk sport, but the force of collisions—especially near the basket—is comparable to football.” Social media has exploded with hashtags like #ProtectThePlayers and #NCAAConcussionProtocol, demanding the NCAA take action before someone’s career is permanently damaged.