Michigan freshman Youssef Khayat cleared to join Wolverines on European trip
Michigan Wolverines basketball is slated to leave Tuesday (Aug. 16) for its 10-day European trip that will include three exhibition games against professional teams. Not among the traveling party is 6-foot-9, 195-pound freshman forward Youssef Khayat, a Lebanese standout in the French youth league who pledged to and signed with the Maize and Blue this summer.
While Khayat’s status — which included waiting for a Visa — was previously uncertain, a team spokesman has informed TheWolverine.com that Khayat, who will be coming from Lebanon, has been cleared to partake in the Wolverines’ trip, which will include time spent in France and Greece.
In an interview with Brian Boesch on the Defend The Block podcast that was recorded more than a week ago and released Tuesday, Khayat provided an update on his status and desire to join the Maize and Blue.
“I’m in Lebanon, in my home country, just waiting for my papers to get done. I’m excited to join the family,” the Beirut, Lebanon, native told Boesch.
“It’s been a difficult couple of weeks — not difficult, but kind of just waiting to leave Lebanon. I’m excited to go to the U.S. and join the team. So right now, I’m training here and hopefully in the next week I can join the team.”
And now he will, with the confirmation coming Tuesday afternoon.
What Youssef Khayat brings to Michigan
This past season for Limoges CSP, Khayat averaged 17.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and nearly two assists per game in one of Europe’s top youth leagues. He’s also a stellar defender, potentially stronger on that end of the floor than with the ball in his hands at this point in his development.
“I’m someone who gives his all — always,” Khayat explained of his playing style. “I’m always giving 100 percent on defense and offense. I’m someone who runs the court, who likes to penetrate, and who loves shooting too. So I think I can fit perfectly with the team.
“With the national team, I was always taking the best player on the court. I had this job to always guard the best players, so this helped me a lot, especially in the last couple of months, where I was always in practice and in the matches to guard the best. So I’m someone who’s always willing to defend, to take the steals, take risks. I love playing defense.”
Michigan head coach Juwan Howard was elated to land Khayat late in the process, filling the Wolverines’ final scholarship spot for this upcoming season.
“Youssef is a very dynamic and bigger wing,” Howard said of Khayat Thursday. “I say bigger because he’s like 6-9ish, close to almost 6-10. He’s very athletic. He can shoot the ball from the outside and stretch the floor. You can play him at multiple positions because of his versatility.
“I’m excited about the athleticism. He also is a high IQ player, too. That’s very valuable when you have a guy who you didn’t get a chance to watch him in person. I watched the team [though], and let me be specific. I watch games, not just watch highlights, because you can come up with a highlight tape. So can I. But I watch games. It gives me an idea of like what type of player he really is.”
