Right now, Michigan does not have a head basketball coach, and at this rate the Wolverines might not have a team next year either.
While hyperbolic, that underscores the dire state of basketball in Ann Arbor as sophomore forward Youssef Khayat became the second Wolverine to enter the transfer portal today alone. Khayat’s decision to enter the portal was first reported by Verbal Commits on Twitter. Earlier in the day, sophomore forward Tarris Reed Jr. indicated he would explore options elsewhere through the portal.
Hailing from Beirut, Lebanon, Khayat attended prep school in France before arriving in Ann Arbor, though the 6-9, 215 pound big man struggled to find his footing on the court. During his freshman campaign, which saw the Wolverines advance to the NIT Tournament, Khayat averaged 1.3 points and 0.7 rebounds per game. The following year, Khayat contributed with a couple extra assists, blocks and steals (two each) during the 2023-24 season.
As a recruit, Khayat was unranked by 247Sports.com, but the sparsely-known prospect held other offers from DePaul, Wake Forest and Xavier, though the Wolverines were the first program to extend a scholarship.
Once Michigan names its next head coach, the Wolverines will have to work quickly in order to stock the roster before next season begins.
How can Michigan turn its basketball program around? What do the Wolverines need to restore balance? Let us know and follow @EricJRutter on Twitter for more Wolverine Digest updates.
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