Throughout the summer, GoRhody.com will run a weekly feature series introducing the members of the 2025-26 Men's Basketball team. The series will focus on their respective basketball journeys.

KINGSTON, R.I. - Keeyan Itejere plays the game above the rim. Way above the rim.

As a true freshman at Marquette during the 2021-22 season, the 6-9 Itejere (pronounced I-TEAZ-sher-ay) set the Golden Eagles' program record with a 36.5-inch vertical leap. That athleticism has been on display for the last two years at Northern Kentucky, where Itejere started 58 of the 63 games he played for the Norse.

On the defensive end of the floor, Itejere was among the top 50 shot blockers in the nation last season, averaging 1.61 blocks per game. Offensively, he had 45 dunks in 34 games (1.31 per game), with more than 25 percent of his total field goals coming via rim rattlers.

"When my motor is high, I am able to fly up and down the court," said Itejere, who presents in a calm, conversational demeaner. "When the adrenaline is pumping, it's just a good feeling. When I get up and get a block, it brings the entire team energy. I like to be able to give energy to the team around me. Energy plays are contagious, and I feel like I can contribute fun plays that will get the team going.

"It is not so much enjoying it more on either end of the floor, but more so what it does to the opponent. If there is someone within the conference who is known to be a really good player, I get a lot of excitement out of being able to stop them. Shutting someone down brings me energy that I feel transfers over to the other end of the floor. A lot of things begin on defense, in terms of being able to protect the rim. Obviously getting dunks on offense can get folks fired up as well."

Itejere has been on the radar for Rhode Island for quite some time, as he was recruited by the Rams coming out of GRACE Christian School in Raleigh, N.C. A raw three-star recruit who didn't begin playing basketball until he was in high school. he ultimately signed with Shaka Smart and Texas, then he followed Smart to Marquette. After two seasons with the Golden Eagles, Itejere transferred to Northern Kentucky before the 2023-24 season.

While at Marquette, he experienced March Madness twice. After redshirting as a true freshman, he helped the Golden Eagles win the Big East title and advance to the second round of the NCAA Championship in 2022-23. Playing behind multi-time All-Big East performer Oso Ighodaro and alongside the likes of current NBA point guard Tyler Kolek in Smart's system, Itejere learned the value of preparation. 

"You have to put the work in. A lot of people enjoy basketball, but they don't enjoy the work that comes with it," said Itejere, who will be pursuing a master's degree in Statistics. "Having a competitive environment is important for everyone's growth. Having people around you who are willing to push you and hold you accountable is vital. Over the years, I have learned there are a lot of little things that go into winning. Teams that are successful, you hear about all the little things and the details they focused on to continuously improve. Those are the things that are so easy to get away from. Defense wins, so there is a reason for an emphasis there. It's a mindset that is so important."

It paid off when he got the chance to start at Northern Kentucky, where he provided steady production in often spectacular fashion. He averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game over two seasons with the Norse. For his career, he boasts a .635 field goal percentage.

"The coaches at Northern Kentucky were really supportive of me and gave me the confidence to play at a high level," Itejere said. "Marquette was a learning stage for me. I certainly built confidence there, but it was growing a lot in terms of different foundational aspects of college basketball. Northern Kentucky was more of a platform that the coaches gave me to learn from mistakes. One of the big things about this game is learning how to play through mistakes and learn on the go.

"My coaches at Marquette hinted at it, and then during a game at Northern Kentucky would tell me to go out there and have fun, play your game. Thinking about making a mistake is not going to help. So much of success is mental. You don't think, 'I hope I get this rebound.' The mindset is, 'I am going to get this rebound.' If I don't get it, then it's on to the next play. Your response to whatever is put in front of you is what leads to results."

Those results have been positive. Dating back to high school, every team Itejere has been a part of since he took the sport up has posted a winning record. He grew up playing soccer, a sport huge in the Itejere family, as his father Larry is a London native. As he continued to grow, Itejere saw the opportunities available through basketball and decided to fully commit himself to the sport. His willingness to study the game off the court has softened his learning curve.

"It is really important to do your film study ahead of time and really understand the opponent's strengths and weaknesses," Itejere said. "Knowing another player's tendencies in the heat of the moment is one of the things that contributes to being able to get a stop. Some players are really good and may be able to score regardless, but anything you can do to slow them down and give yourself that competitive edge is necessary when it comes to preparation."

It was Rhode Island's programmatic preparation in his second round of recruiting with the Rams that landed Itejere in Kingston.

"Rhode Island left a good impression on me when I was narrowing down my list the first time they recruited me," Itejere said. "This time, Coach (James) Whitford was the main guy who reached out to me. He talked a lot about the plan for me and how they wanted to develop me. He was able to detail how this team would be a good fit for me. The way they were able to show how I would fit in with their plans for the team was something that I was looking for. It stood out from every other program."

As he adjusts to Rhode Island, Itejere said this summer he is working on rebounding, touch shots and improving his ability to defend multiple positions.

"Those are the reasons why I am here," Itejere said. "I am working a lot on footwork and understanding different rebounding concepts. I want to understand the style of play of the guys around me early on.

"It is fun playing with a team that runs up and down the court at an incredible pace. With the players who are here, we can be a very fast-paced team. When you play with a fast pace, it creates more opportunities for easier baskets. It certainly requires a higher level of conditioning, but everyone here has the ability to play at the pace we have been talking about. It will make the game more fun."


Check back on Tuesday, July 1 for a feature on guard Tyler Cochran. To order tickets for the 2025-26 Men's Basketball Season, click here.


Summer Series
6/12 - Hinton Brings Strategic Mind to Rhody
6/19 - Johnson Leads With the Spirit of the Wolf