Michigan forward Youssef Khayat shares what he misses most from Lebanon

Michigan forward Youssef “Yo-Yo” Khayat is a long way from home in Beirut while playing for the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. More precisely, he’s 5925 miles from home (give or take a few) while in southeast Michigan.

Inevitably, there are going to be things that one misses when they’re half a world away from home. Khayat is no different. But he’s learned with new things to try and do, there are new things to enjoy, too.

“I think the food back home, for sure. But I think I’ve found new places, new things that I like,” Khayat said on the “Defend the Block” podcast.

Khayat, who moved with his mother from Lebanon to France when he was 16 so he could further his basketball career, has plenty of experience living abroad. In both places, he’s found foods — and any number of things behind — that he’s grown to love.

He’s also come to view it as an important part of growing up and transitioning to adulthood, where living in new places could become the norm, especially given his basketball aspirations.

“And I think it’s part of growing up, too. You’re not going to always have the food you’re gonna like or everything. So you just need to transition and find new things and I definitely found new things in Ann Arbor,” Khayat said.

Khayat appeared in nine games as a freshman at Michigan in 2023, making one start. He averaged 6.6 minutes played across those nine contests, scoring 12 total points. Those points came exclusively on 3s, where Khayat shot 4-for-9.

Khayat grew in some key areas as a freshman

“I think I’ve improved tremendously in all aspects,” Khayat said. “Like when I see myself a year ago from where I am right now, I’ve made a lot of tremendous strides. Basketball wise, mentally wise being more strong, more confident, and just being able to do more on the court. When I came first came, I think I was a little bit weak, you know, just strength-wise. I think I had a lot of pounds to gain and a lot of lot of strength.”

He continued, shouting out Michigan basketball strength and condition coach John Sanderson, who he called “Sandman.”

“I think just being more strong, working with Sandman helped a lot, you know, because I missed the summer, unfortunately. So I wasn’t strong enough, coming into the season. But as the season went through, I became more strong and put on way more pounds,” Khayat said.