YOUSSEF KHAYAT

It’s the start of the 2022-23 college basketball season, and just like years past, the Michigan Wolverines are entering the season ranked in the AP Top 25 at No. 22.

The Michigan men’s basketball team is about to find out. “Last year, I think people on the team would say that we had more talent than this year,” he said. In the Big Ten, Indiana is the preseason favorite, but the Hoosiers haven’t finished above .500 in the Big Ten since 2015-16. “People think we have a lot of question marks around our team,” Dickinson said, noting Michigan’s transfers and freshmen. … I think we’ll catch a lot of people by surprise like we did my freshman year.”Michigan won the Big Ten and earned a No.

ANN ARBOR -- Youssef Khayat pulled up to a hotel in Paris late at night to meet the Michigan basketball team for the first time. Related: A sibling rivalry comes to Michigan basketball, and dad has a front-row seatStill, Khayat committed to Michigan -- and Howard believed in Khayat -- without an in-person meeting. “And Michigan,” Khayat noted, “isn’t a random school.”Exactly how Michigan and Khayat connected remains a bit of a mystery. “We were surfing the net, I guess,” assistant coach Howard Eisley said with a smile. He’s really a sponge, eager to get better.”(When Jace is asked about Youssef, he and two other Wolverines immediately correct the reporter: Yo Yo!

There have been workouts throughout the summer, but Monday (Sep. 26) was the first official day of practice for the Michigan men’s basketball team. The team’s official Twitter account released a short video of players running sprints inside the practice facility. “Day 1 of practice starts today.”Strength coach Jon Sanderson, who recently spoke to MLive about individual summer workouts, is shown encouraging the players. ⏰⌛️ pic.twitter.com/d0DRxbUq7f — Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) September 26, 2022Monday was the first day of practice because it is 42 days before Michigan’s first regular-season game, set for Nov. 7 at home against Purdue Fort Wayne. Michigan will be able to practice 30 times during that period.

In addition to the games, Michigan was allowed 10 extra practices before the trip. As for the games, the Wolverines went 2-1 against professional teams, though none of the games will count against their record. Martelli said the opponent had injuries sustained during training camp that limited the available number of players. Martelli said the games confirmed to the coaching staff that Michigan is deep. Tschetter, Martelli said, was the 10th or 11th man in one game but made four baskets in one quarter the next.

Michigan won 95-62 against what appeared to be a “junior varsity” version of the Greek pro team. Michigan’s first game of the trip, played last week in Paris against Provence, wasn’t so easy. (Michigan, meanwhile, has only released a few photos and short video clips, declining to reveal even the scores of the games.) In the Provence game, 11 Wolverines saw the court -- every scholarship player except Joey Baker and Youssef Khayat. The Olympiacos senior team roster is littered with former college stars, but apparently none of them suited up on Monday.

Wearing bright maize shirts custom made for the trip, the Wolverines arrived in Paris on Wednesday (Aug. 17) and spent their day sightseeing and eating. “Time to start making a lifetime of memories,” head coach Juwan Howard captioned a photo he shared on social media of a team meal. pic.twitter.com/IquAdDccOS — Juwan Howard (@JuwanHoward) August 17, 2022All players are present except for freshman Youssef Khayat, who is expected to join the team at some point in France. Later in the day, the team’s official social media account shared a team photo in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Fam Photo at the Notre-Dame Cathedral 📸🇫🇷〽️ pic.twitter.com/m1QB6u45a4 — Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) August 17, 2022Other photos were shared as well.

A few weeks into summer workouts, a few things have stood out to Michigan men’s basketball assistant coach Phil Martelli. Other returners, a talented freshman class, and two graduate transfers have Martelli optimistic about Michigan’s potential depth. “He’s older, he’s basketball bright, he’s a good athlete. “Sometimes with a redshirt the kid comes in and you think, ‘Man, we’re starting again, he’s just a freshman,’” Martelli said. “It’s Hunter’s team,” Martelli said.

Youssef Khayat is one of the youngest players in the Asia Cup, a basketball tournament currently taking place in Indonesia. It hasn’t stopped him from being a key contributor for his home country, Lebanon, during the team’s 3-0 start. Though he’s played professionally in France since 2018, Khayat is from Beirut and plays for the Lebanese senior national team. On Wednesday against the Philippines, Khayat scored seven points in 15 minutes in a 95-80 win. The average age of Lebanon’s three opponents so far is 23, 23, and 24.

Juwan Howard will trot out a reshaped roster this fall when the Michigan men’s basketball team takes the floor again. On the latest episode of MLive’s “Wolverine Confidential” podcast, Andrew Kahn and Aaron McMann react to news of the latest commitment to Juwan Howard, Youssef Khayat, capping a busy offseason for the Wolverines. Plus, two more Michigan players hear their names called in the NBA draft. Also, an update on the football team’s recruiting progress — a 2024 commitment, and a pair of incoming ‘23 commitments that the Wolverines stand a real chance to win. Listen to “Wolverine Confidential” via the embedded player below, or find us on your preferred podcasting platform.

The Michigan men’s basketball program has gone the international route to complete its roster for next season. Youssef Khayat, a Lebanon native who has played the past several years for a professional team in France, committed to Michigan on Sunday afternoon (June 26). Once the 19-year-old decided he wanted to play college basketball, he narrowed his options to four schools, ultimately choosing Michigan over Xavier, Wake Forest, and DePaul. “I chose the program for their experience of developing international wings,” Khayat said. In addition to his pro basketball experience, Khayat has played for the Lebanon national team.

Youssef Khayat, a Lebanon native who has played the past few years with a professional team in France, will announce his college choice on Sunday (2 p.m. Michigan is among Khayat’s four finalists, along with DePaul, Wake Forest, and Xavier, he announced last week. In addition to the professional experience, Khayat has played with the Lebanon national team. “They have experience with international players like Moe Wagner and Moussa Diabaté,” Khayat told 247sports in regards to Michigan. “I think them having experience with international players is very impressive.