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Moustapha Thiam: Michigan has secured a major addition from the transfer portal.
Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam announced his commitment to Michigan Wolverines men's basketball on Friday, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Thiam stands 7-foot-2 and is widely regarded as one of the top remaining players in the transfer portal.
He recently completed a visit to Michigan, where he met with head coach Dusty May and the reigning national champions earlier this week.
Before choosing Michigan, Thiam also took visits to several other prominent programs.
Those included St. John's Red Storm men's basketball, Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball, and Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball.
Multiple additional schools were reportedly in pursuit of the highly sought-after center.
Thiam was ranked No. 11 overall in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings. He was also considered one of the top five players still available before making his decision.
The commitment strengthens Michigan’s roster as the program looks to build on its championship success heading into the upcoming season.
Moustapha Thiam showed significant development late in his sophomore season. The Cincinnati transfer emerged as one of the most promising big men in the transfer portal.
Thiam delivered consistent production down the stretch. His performance elevated his profile among top available players.
After missing two games in February due to a foot injury, Thiam returned in strong form.
He averaged 18.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks over his final eight games. During that span, he recorded several standout performances.
He posted 28 points and eight rebounds against Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball.
He followed that with 21 points and 10 rebounds against Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball.
He then added 24 points and 15 rebounds against Oklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball.
For the full season, Thiam averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
His late-season surge highlighted both his consistency and long-term potential as an impact center at the next level.
Moustapha Thiam, a native of Senegal and a top-30 recruit in the 2024 class, began his college career at UCF Knights men's basketball.
He played one season with the program and appeared in 34 games. He averaged 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May has aggressively rebuilt the roster through the transfer portal this spring. Thiam is one of three frontcourt additions secured by the program.
He joins J. P. Estrella, who transferred from Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball, and Jalen Reed, who arrived from LSU Tigers men's basketball.
The trio is expected to play a key role in reshaping Michigan’s frontcourt.
The moves come as the program prepares for the anticipated departures of projected first-round NBA draft picks Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr..
Michigan has also strengthened its backcourt with the addition of five-star recruit Brandon McCoy Jr.. The Wolverines remain active in the transfer market.
The program is pursuing Juke Harris from Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball, who is also exploring the NBA draft process.
The flurry of roster moves signals Michigan’s intent to remain competitive at a national level heading into the upcoming season.
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