Michigan Basketball: Realistic expectations for Youssef Khayat in year one

What Youssef Khayat’s role could look like next season for Michigan basketball.

Michigan basketball got a jolt of positive news over the weekend as Youssef Khayat, an international 2022 prospect committed to the Wolverines over Xavier, Wake Forest, and Depaul.

When we were all asking what Juwan Howard was going to do to replace Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan, he was scouring for talent and found a kid that likely would be a top-100 recruit (maybe higher) if he was from the United States.

Yet, just because the 6-foot-8 Khayat has high expectations for the future, as well as NBA potential according to some scouts, doesn’t mean his transition to college basketball will be easy.

Remember, Franz Wagner even struggled a little bit that first season. It’s a tough comparison because he was overcoming an injury but his shooting took a minute to catch on and the American game is definitely defended differently, especially on things like close-outs — not to mention the fact that players over here are just bigger, longer, and more athletic.

It’s going to take Khayat a minute to adjust to that. Yet, he shot 37 percent from 3-point range last year in France and if he can just be a three-and-D guy off the bench, that would be a huge help.

What Youssef Khayat’s impact could be in 2022-23?

Depending on how ready he is when the season starts, he could compete for a starting job next season but I anticipate him coming off the bench. I believe he will have a role though. His defense might be the most translatable skill next season and the Wolverines need plus-defenders.

If he’s playing the four alongside Hunter Dickinson, he’s sure to get some catch-and-shoot, 3-point opportunities, plus he’ll add a defender to the lineup who can switch ball screens.

While many are focused on his contributions next year, he has the feel of a multi-year guy to me and that’s even more exciting.

If you think about the fact that all five freshmen in this class (Khayat, Jett Howard, Tarris Reed, Dug McDaniel, and Gregg Glenn) are likely to return, it bodes well for the future.

Sure, Jett Howard could have a stellar freshman season and potentially leave early for the NBA draft, but it feels like most of them are going to return and that would be a great thing for the Wolverines’ chances of contending over the next 2-3 seasons.

I do see Khayat making an impact next season, especially as the season goes on and he gets more comfortable with the college game. His length and defensive intensity should at least help on that end of the floor and that’s why I see him getting 15-20 minutes a game off the bench between both the three and the four positions.

Yet, I don’t see him becoming a huge impact player and a starter until his sophomore season.