3 Michigan Basketball sophomores that need to take a leap

Youssef Khayat

Youssef Khayat was a late addition to Michigan basketball last summer. The potential is there but he only played in nine games last season and it’s hard to predict what the Wolverines will get during the 2023-24 season.

Khayat played a season-high 17 minutes in the NIT loss to Vanderbilt and connected on a 3-pointer while getting three rebounds. He can be a really solid defender and if he can shoot the ball with consistency, it would be a nice addition to the lineup.

That’s easier said than done though. Yet, Michigan really needs a 3/4 type that can shoot and D-up. That position has hurt Michigan the past two seasons with Caleb Houstan and Jett Howard guarding that spot.

Khayat looked like he would be a bench guy and he still could be to start the 2023-24 season. But it all depends on who is added and how far his game has come.

It’s hard to see him taking the leap to starter, but Michigan could definitely use him as a rotation piece and if Khayat were able to play 20 solid minutes off the bench, it woud be huge for the Wolverines who need as many quality Big Ten players as they can get.

Khayat can absolutely be that, but it’s much easier said than done.