Michigan Basketball: Juwan Howard intrigued by Youssef Khayat

Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard talked about the newest Wolverine, Youssef Khayat on Thursday and he sounds very intrigued. 

Youssef Khayat was a late addition to Michigan basketball’s 2022 recruiting class and it’s a move that I think it’s going to make Juwan Howard look like a genius.

While everyone was panicking about the loss of Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate to the NBA draft, Juwan was busy recruiting and discovered Youssef, who had some other college interests, as a potential fit for the Wolverines.

Youssef committed over the summer but since coaches can’t talk about recruits until they are signed, Thursday was the first time we heard what Howard had to say about his prized international recruit. Here’s what he said via 247 sports after Youssef indicated he was interested in college.

"“I was like, ‘Breathe, settle down a bit,’” Howard said of his reaction to the news. “‘It’s time to roll up my sleeves, and I have to share with him about how he fits the Michigan culture. Share with him about the Michigan experience.’"

That should get Michigan basketball fans excited right there. Then, Juwan went into recruiting mode and in that sense, he’s one of the best. Wake Forest, Xavier, Depaul, and others were still involved but the Wolverines made up ground quickly, in large part due to Howard and what U-M has to offer. It probably didn’t hurt that Franz Wagner was just drafted in the first round.

And while Howard said the Wolverines haven’t seen him in practice yet, because Youssef hasn’t joined the team quite yet, he’s excited about what the athletic wing will bring to the roster according to what he told 247 sports:

"“Youssef is a very dynamic, bigger wing. And I say ‘bigger’ because he’s like 6-9ish, almost 6-10. Very athletic, can shoot the ball from the outside, stretch. Can play in multiple positions because of his versatility. Have I said ‘athletic?’ I’m excited about his athleticism, so I’ll say it again. But he’s also a high-IQ player, too. That’s very valuable when you have a guy who you didn’t have a chance to watch him in person. But the tape — I mean by tape, let me be specific. I watch games, not just watch highlights. That gives me an idea of like the type of player he really is.”"

Howard said that Khayat wasn’t a player Michigan basketball wanted, but more a player it needed. The Wolverines needed an athletic defender, who can shoot from 3-point range.

Like Franz, I can see him making an impact in year one, although not as big or immediate, yet by year two, he should be a full-time starter with NBA draft interest.