Michigan forward Youssef Khayat discusses challenges during first year in United States

Getting adjusted to the next level of a sport is already hard enough. However, doing so nearly 6,000 miles from your home makes it that much more difficult. That was the position that Youssef Khayat was in last year during his freshman season at Michigan as he’s a native of Beirut, Lebanon.

Khayat talked about his experiences as an international player in a recent appearance on the ‘Defend The Block’ Podcast. He admitted that it’s been a challenge getting used to all the new things that he has learned in the United State but that he can also appreciate the country for being as die-hard as it is when it comes to sports.

“It’s definitely been a little bit challenging, for sure. When you think about it, it’s already been a year. A whole season. It’s crazy to think about. It’s kind of new for me,” Khayat said. “I learned a lot this year. Basketball-wise, outside of basketball, learning new things and being able to get stuff and be like a sponge every day. Learn from coaches. It’s definitely been a little bit challenging but it’s also been nice.

“I would say people are obsessed with sports here. Any sport. Football, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, water polo. You can say America is the place where the dreams can come true. You can certainly see at Michigan too. I watched a volleyball game. We’re competitive in that. You go watch lacrosse, they’re like top five in the country. Baseball. Just seeing that and being in a place where it’s great? It’s something I truly appreciate,” said Khayat. “Back in Lebanon, we have basketball teams, we have soccer teams. But you don’t see, like, universities that have all teams combined that are great at everything. That’s been a little bit surprising for me.”

From there, Khayat additionally spoke on the difficulties and numbness of playing the sport that he loves that far away from his family and friends back in Lebanon.

“It’s hard but I’ve kind of grown used to it. When you’re out of the country for five years, you kind of become numb, in some sense, to missing your family and your friends. But I think it’s part of the job, part of something that is a challenge for me,” Khayat said. “People have it harder. You see people being in places way, way, way worse than I am. I’m blessed to be here.”

“If it means missing my friends or family, that’s okay. It’s part of life. I’m kind of used to it,” said Khayat. “Showing their support, I think through messages and WhatsApp messages? It’s definitely hard keeping up with all the news back home but it’s always nice to get some messages from fans, family or friends.”

In nine games this past season, including one start, Khayat averaged 1.3 points per game in 6.2 minutes. In total, the 6’9 forward scored just 12 points and grabbed six rebounds total in 56 minutes of action overall. Over a quarter of those minutes came in Michigan’s season-ending loss to Vanderbilt in the second round of the NIT.

With Michigan’s roster shifting as much as it has this offseason, Khayat should be in for a larger role as a sophomore. With all that he has learned so far, the Lebanese star will look to continue to make his family and country proud as he find more success on the court in America.