Utah Basketball’s Keanu Dawes To Enter NCAA Transfer Portal
Mar 30, 2025, 11:01 AM
Feb 26, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) blocks a lay up made by Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
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SALT LAKE CITY – Utah basketball’s Keanu Dawes will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to reports made on Saturday night.
The sophomore forward averaged 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 60% from the field.
NEWS: Utah forward Keanu Dawes is entering the transfer portal, he tells @LeagueRDY.
Dawes began his career playing one year at Rice before spending this season at Utah. Former four-star recruit and native of Houston, Texas.
He averaged 8.0PPG, 6.3RPG and 1.0APG this season. pic.twitter.com/PVQKOJsiQ0
— Sam Kayser – 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) March 30, 2025
Keanu Dawes To Test The Transfer Portal Waters
Dawes started his college career with Rice in 2023. After his first and only year with the program, he hit the portal and committed to Utah last spring.
After a slow start to the season, Dawes emerged as one of the Utes’ more consistent producers.
In his sophomore season with the Utes, he improved his averages in points, rebounds, assists, and shooting splits while averaging five fewer minutes than his freshman campaign.
Despite the team’s struggles towards the finish line, Dawes finished strong. He ended the year with career highs in points (21) and rebounds (15) against UCF in the Big 12 tournament.
Out here just doing practice reps @keanu_28 😳 pic.twitter.com/l1pFG2NmRG
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) July 30, 2024
However, Utah finished with a 16-16 record, lost early in the Big 12 Championship, and missed an NCAA Tournament bid.
Despite entering the portal, Dawes was considered one of the top players to retain, and Utah will work to hang onto him.
Alex Jensen Rebuilding Runnin’ Utes Program Will Strengthen Utah Basketball Community
With Alex Jensen now leading the University of Utah men’s basketball program, the former Runnin’ Ute standout will soon begin to lay the foundation for his program.
Jensen’s connection to the university and extensive coaching background uniquely positions him to reconnect the program with its storied history and inspire optimism for the future.
It’s become clear, though, that his mere presence is already resonating with the Utah basketball community, which bodes well for him and the program’s future.
Introducing, the 17th Head Coach in Runnin’ Utes History, Alex Jensen‼️ pic.twitter.com/khgmVsyjHB
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) March 18, 2025
Within the state of Utah, there is a strong basketball community. Thanks to the Utah Jazz and the success of nearly every local college program, basketball carries a lot of value here. The hiring of Jensen strengthens Utah basketball’s own community, which is a tight-knit, passionate group with a dedicated fanbase and former players.
His mere presence has already resonated with Runnin’ Utes fans. Utah’s ticket office has seen a surge in inquiries regarding season tickets, particularly from fans who had distanced themselves in recent years. Not only have previous season ticket holders expressed interest in returning to the Huntsman Center, but hundreds of totally new season ticket requests have flooded the ticket office.
That speaks to one aspect of the Utah basketball community, but another is the relationship between the program and former players. Many Runnin’ Ute alums have expressed renewed enthusiasm, eager to see Jensen steer the program back to prominence.
