SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State men's basketball head coach Cuonzo Martin has added 6-foot-10 forward Keith Palek III to the Bears roster for next season.

A transfer from California University of Pennsylvania, Palek earned NABC All-District second-team and All-PSAC second team honors in 2023. He played in 88 games over four seasons for the Vulcans, averaging 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds during that stretch with 121 three-pointers and a 78.1 percent performance at the free throw line. He was averaging 18.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game before sustaining a season-ending injury last season.

"Keith is the kind of player who does whatever it takes to help the team win," Martin explained. "Whether it's knocking down shots, making a play, passing, or defending multiple positions, he's always looking for ways to impact the game. His experience, leadership and ability to play multiple roles will be invaluable to our success."

As a junior, Palek averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 22 appearances. His best campaign was in 2022-23 where he led the team and ranked third in the conference as a sophomore with 18.2 points per game with six double-doubles, 28 games scoring in double figures and nine games with at least 20 points. He also converted 57 threes his sophomore year to go with 80 assists and 35 steals. He logged 9.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 20 appearances his freshman season (2021-22) with 40 threes. 

As a standout at St. Augustine Prep (N.J.), he averaged 8.7 points as a senior for coach Paul Rodio while helping the team to a Cape-Atlantic West Division title. He also registered 7.8 points per game as a junior and helped the program capture South Jersey 1A non-public state championship.