Michigan basketball: Pledge Youssef Khayat shining, improving
Michigan kept its recruitment of Lebanese standout Youssef Khayat quiet for quite some time before landing him in early July. Though he’s made a name for himself in France, the 6-8 forward is currently playing for Lebanon in FIBA international play.
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He’s playing well against solid competition, helping lead the Lebanese team to a 3-0 record heading into a Wednesday contest with China. He scored 15 points in a Sunday victory — his best showing to date — going 6-for-11 from the floor and 2-for-5 from long range. A primarily perimeter player, he’s shot nearly 50 percent from long range playing for the national team (7-for-15 in nine games).
During the recent tournament in Indonesia, the Michigan pledge scored seven points in 15 minutes in a 95-80 win over the Philippines. He scored another seven, adding five rebounds and three steals in an 86-72 upset win over New Zealand. That included a back-breaking triple late in the game.
In short, he’s a great fit for what the Wolverines need for the roster and a candidate for early playing time.
While he still needs to get stronger to finish around the rim (and to play in the Big Ten), he’s surprised on the defensive end. He’s willing and able to switch and capable of defending several positions. He runs the floor and scores in transition and has a relentless motor and work ethic.
“I coached him before in under 16 nationals,” his coach said after Lebanon beat India by 40 points. “He has great talent, but the most important thing is he’s humble, and working day by day to get better.
“It’s his first [stint] with the senior team. He’s doing great game by game, developing and getting better. He will reach a high level if he keeps doing the same work and be the future of Lebanese basketball.”
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His defense is the most improved aspect of his game, he added. That will play well at Michigan, where Juwan Howard demands it.
“Usually you know players like him with talent and skill, they play selfishly. They play to score,” he said. “Most important he’s a great defender, too. He’s not just an offensive player. As we saw last game, he did an amazing job on the key players of New Zealand. Same [this game]. Maybe he had three or four blocked shots. He rebounds.
“He’s not just an offensive player. He can do everything. He can fill his role playing with the team and deliver whatever we want from him.”
Exactly what he’s shown on film so far with the Lebanese senior team. And he’s just getting started, ready to take it to the next level at Michigan.
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