Utah forward Keanu Dawes reportedly headed for transfer portal
Mar 29, 2026, 11:05 AM | Updated: Mar 30, 2026, 11:02 am
Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) tries to pass the ball out with Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Ja'Borri McGhee (2) defending as they play in the Salt Lake Showcase at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — According to reports, Utah Utes junior forward Keanu Dawes will enter the transfer portal after a prolific second season in Salt Lake City.
Jonathon Givony at Draft Express was first to break the news on Sunday morning.
NEWS: Utah’s Keanu Dawes will enter the transfer portal, agents Brandon Grier and Rob Murphy of Equity Sports told DraftExpress.
The 6-foot-9 junior averaged 12.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists this season, knocking down 1 three-pointer per game. pic.twitter.com/A5Xyf36icR
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 29, 2026
Dawes was one of three Utes starters last season to both play in every game and average double-digit points.
He finished his junior season averaging 12.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 54.6/31.7/72.4 shooting splits.
Dawes led the program in rebounds per game and field goal percentage (minimum 60 shots attempted).
.@terrencetbrown finds @keanu_28 streaking down the court for a SLAM DUNK🔥
📺ESPN+#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Gct8YfJ8Yh
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) March 10, 2026
About Keanu Dawes
Hawes joined the Runnin’ Utes prior to the 2024-2025 season. He started his college career at Rice University, where he played in all 32 games and averaged 6.6 points as a freshman.
He grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended Stratford High School, which is about 20 minutes West of Rice’s campus.
In High School, Dawes was named the 2023 District 17 6A Offensive Player of the Year, a two-time TABC All-Region recipient, and a two-time finalist for the Guy V. Lewis Award. His career with the Spartans had him as a three-star prospect according to 247 and On3 Sports.
Dawes’ ties to the state of Utah eventually led to his decision to transfer to the University of Utah. His mother played basketball at Utah State Eastern, his uncle attended Cottonwood High School and went on to play at BYU, and his grandparents were season ticket holders for Utah men’s basketball in the 2000s and 2010s.
