Defend the Block 397 - Moustapha Thiam Transcript
8/18/2026 8:02:00 AM | MGoBlue Podcasts
Brian Boesch • 00:00
It feels like a different universe here. But Moustapha Thiam, our guest this week on Defend the Block, seemed to be the final edition, really the final true drama for Michigan's off season back in the spring. That is of course, before Dusty May's departure to Dallas, Thiam's verbal, unofficial yet official announcement was the end of a brief worry that Michigan's frontcourt excellence last season en route to a national championship could cost them a top of the line frontcourt this year. Because frankly, the price went up. Ah, the quiet days. Remember a couple of months later new head coach Mike Boynton junior Told us here on the podcast that everything was up in the air for the program, including what's to come late this week through next week, the team's international trip to Lithuania and Croatia. I think it's a good reminder and checkpoint for us all that despite plenty of unknown, Boynton and company have calmed the waters.
Brian Boesch • 00:53
From the quiet fifteen day portal window to standard summer work to to this impending trip, it's as normal as it has felt around the program in a while. You could argue it's as quiet and normal as it has felt around the program since the team was in the midst of last season. Now, I won't be making the trip this week and next, but I am excited to learn about the team's progress on and off the court. And one of the most fascinating players in my opinion will be Thiam, a prized portal target who has the type of skill set and stature to to continue Michigan's front court dominance last year. Probably under the radar, but Cincinnati made a push to potentially sneak into the NCAA Tournament and Thiam's emergence was arguably the biggest reason why. The Bearcats started eleven twelve. They finished seven three a stretch during which Thiam averaged almost eighteen points a game, exactly ten rebounds a contest, and he shot fifty percent from the floor and nine of twenty five or thirty six percent from three.
Brian Boesch • 01:56
Thiam, like the rest of the Wolverines, will finally get to go against some other teams coming up late this week and into next week and this club will try to take the next step in becoming a group that can contend in the Big Ten and beyond. Thiam would be a big reason for it and he's our guest here this week on another fun edition of Defend the Block.
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Jeff Laurence • 02:20
We're talking Michigan basketball. Welcome to Defend the Block, where we'll take you inside the basketball programs with interviews, analysis and so much more. Now here's your host, Brian Boesch.
Brian Boesch • 02:32
Moustapha, first off, thanks for joining us. I've asked a few of your fellow Teammates, guys like Jalen Reed, who I've really enjoyed getting to know. JP Estrella, same deal. First off, why you committed to Michigan in April when Dusty was still here? What went into the decision of saying, I'm going to be a Wolverine back then?
Moustapha Thiam • 02:50
Yeah, I mean, it was a pretty easy decision for me to make because when I got out of Portal, you know, I had some couple offers and, you know, I talked to Dusty May, obviously, and, you know, he wanted me on a visit. So I came here and visited and, you know, just get to know the staff people around here. I was like, I love it. So I love the culture, I love the way that they use players. I love the way that, like, they play, you know. So I talked to Dusty and yeah, I was comfortable making the decision then I made it.
Brian Boesch • 03:24
You guys were here with Cincinnati last year for the exhibition. Bearcats got the victory over Michigan. Did you follow the Wolverines a little
Brian Boesch • 03:32
bit more because of that?
Brian Boesch • 03:33
And had you watched some of what Michigan had done with the big men? Adai Mahrez Yax yeah, I mean, during the season?
Moustapha Thiam • 03:41
Not really, because I was focusing on my, on my season two. So I was playing a lot of games. We obviously was in the Big twelve. I was playing a lot of games. But yeah, at the, at the end of the season, of course I watched some of them games because, you know, they went to the Final Four, made a deep run, won the national championship. But yeah, when I watch it, it was just really exciting. I'm like, wow, this team is really good. The way they use their base is just like, really good. So I was like, yeah, this team is really good. That's what I thought.
Brian Boesch • 04:06
So then Dusty gets the NBA opportunity and leaves. Everybody in that spot has a decision to make. So what went into your decision to want to stay with Coach Boynton with this program, even though the head coach had departed?
Moustapha Thiam • 04:20
Yeah, I mean, on coach depart, you know, it was surprising. Obviously everybody was, you know, it was really surprising. But, yeah, once he went to the NBA, you know, which I'm really happy for him and wish him the best. You know, everybody want to upgrade on whatever profession you do. And, you know, I was like, okay, now take the time, talk to my family, talk to people around me. You know, had a chance to meet, you know, the new head coach, Coach Barton and the staff. So I talked to Coach Barton, you know, trust him high. Correct. The guy too. And, you know, we had a plan and the team too. You know, a lot of people started agreeing that they're going to stay you know, but I just felt comfortable. I was like, this is my place, so I would just stay.
Brian Boesch • 05:03
Yeah, we'll get into your game and what you can add on the court. But a fascinating story. You grew up in Senegal. When did you first get attracted to basketball and what were your initial takeaways from playing the game of basketball?
Moustapha Thiam • 05:17
Yeah, growing up, I was playing soccer at first, you know, but you know, also I started hitting fifteen. Like beginning of sixteen, I was like, like, I was like maybe six eight or six, seven. I started getting like way a lot of, hey, you know, height and stuff like that. My uncle came from Japan and he saw me, he was like, man, you really should try basketball because like, you, you know, you pretty tall. I'm like, ah, I don't know about it. Then, you know, I was like, the quarter was not far from our house, so I was just going there, you know, playing three v three, two v two and stuff like that. And I loved it then. I just, I didn't quit basket like soccer for real. For real. But I was just like playing soccer at the same time playing basketball. And at some point and I was like, ah, I would just focus on the basketball. Then one year, just came to the United States.
Brian Boesch • 06:04
What from a soccer standpoint did your height and the growth spurt you went, how did that affect you? Was it tougher to play toward the tail end of your soccer career because of how tall you were?
Moustapha Thiam • 06:15
I mean, yeah, of course it affected me because when I was, you know, when I was fifteen, I was starting, you know, just growing up and my friends were just like, we were in the same height. And then like at some moment I'm like, wow, I'm going up there. So I was like, okay. Then, you know, we were playing soccer. It really affected me because I was start having some shins play and stuff like that. You know, when you go through a year and just grow a lot. But yeah, I think it was a really fun moment because that's when I started playing basketball too. So I think it was a really good moment.
Brian Boesch • 06:45
What aspects of you as a soccer player have helped the most in basketball?
Moustapha Thiam • 06:51
I feel like. I feel like moving, like moving. Whether it's moving laterally, you know, moving, you know, speed and stuff like that, I think it really helped me a lot because once I started playing basketball, I was just like running a lot, you know, moving a lot. I think that's one of the aspects that really, you know, translate to the basketball court.
Brian Boesch • 07:08
Was it a pretty quick process of you picking up basketball or. Or Were there areas that maybe were a little bit more difficult for you to just play style wise or. Or to be able to execute? Were there some challenges there?
Moustapha Thiam • 07:23
When I first pick up basketball, it was really fun because there was no rules. I was just playing three on three, five or five, just up and down the court, you know, having fun. So there was. And it was in Senegal too. You know, we don't have, like, organization that, like, you know, compete. You know, we were just playing five hundred fifteen, you know, pick up, like a picket ball. So I think, yeah, that's what it was. But, you know, once I started doing that for like maybe three months, four months, I started loving it. And I was like, all right, it's time for me to stop soccer. Just focus on basketball.
Brian Boesch • 07:53
So what was the first time that you played in a competitive five on five basketball environment? And what was it like? Was it strange or did you feel
Brian Boesch • 08:03
like it was everything you hoped it would be?
Moustapha Thiam • 08:06
Yeah, the first time I played a organized basketball was my high school year. My first year in my high school when I went to DME Academy. When I got there, you know, it was in the summer. You know, I didn't really get the chance to play aau. Just trying to figure out some stuff. But once the season start, then that was my first time playing organization, like organizing basketball. And I think it was. It felt a little weird because, you know, there was a lot of people in the crowd, you know, cheering for you, and that was my first time doing that too. I was a little nervous, but I think it was a really good moment.
Brian Boesch • 08:39
So you moved to the US And I understand you did not know any English, correct? Yeah, but English is not your first, your second, even your third language. Five is what I hear. Right?
Brian Boesch • 08:49
You speak five languages.
Brian Boesch • 08:50
What are they?
Moustapha Thiam • 08:50
Yeah, I speak French, English, all of my native language, and two different dialect in my country.
Brian Boesch • 08:56
Okay. How. How difficult was it to learn English, especially as it. That was your fifth, right? That's the most recent one you've learned?
Moustapha Thiam • 09:02
Yeah.
Brian Boesch • 09:03
How difficult was it?
Brian Boesch • 09:04
Or was it pretty easy?
Moustapha Thiam • 09:05
I mean, it wasn't difficult at all because, you know, until you start, you know, the other two languages that I taught that I speak in in Senegal, I just pick it up by talking to my friends, like just having conversation with them. That's how I pick it up. But when I got to the state, you know, obviously I was doing class, some English classes and duolingo, stuff like that. But on some. The more I communicate with my teammates, my classmates, people around me, the more I Feel comfortable speaking the language other
Brian Boesch • 09:33
than obviously getting more and more comfortable with the English language. Where have you grown the most, both as a player and as a person, from the time you stepped on campus at UCF as a freshman to now us talking here as you get ready for a junior year at Michigan?
Moustapha Thiam • 09:46
I think I've grown a lot, you know, I've matured a lot, you know, on my game. I've grown a lot, you know, I gotten stronger, you know, faster. And also, you know, being a leader also just be talking to my teammates and stuff like that, I think that's. I grow a lot on that part.
Brian Boesch • 10:03
On the floor, for fans who haven't seen you, except for maybe that game at Chrysler in the exhibition, how would you describe your game? What do you do well? What are things you're working on?
Moustapha Thiam • 10:12
I run the floor pretty well, you know, protect. Did him pretty well, you know, I chaired a basket, of course, and, you know, I'm a good shot blocker. Black shots too. And you know, my game is just those things. And I shoot the ball pretty well, too. So the things I'm working on, the things I'm working on right now is just, you know, being comfortable, you know, cheering the basketball with my teammate, playing as a team and stuff like that. That's what I'll be working on. And also my defense.
Brian Boesch • 10:44
We're with Moustapha Thiam here on defend the block. What is it like playing with some of the other big men like Jalen, like JP how have you guys grown in camaraderie, in friendship, and also in the little time you guys have had an opportunity to be either on the same court or on separate courts?
Moustapha Thiam • 11:00
I mean, it's been great, you know, since we got here, we'd be hanging out off the court on practice, we'd be going at it each other. Of course, we all competitive, so we'd be going at it and off the court, we'd be just hanging out. You know, we literally went to fishing yesterday and that went really well. So, yeah, great guys, high characters, you know, want work, which I do want to work through, so I think it's easier.
Brian Boesch • 11:24
How about the backcourt to have guys like Elliot, who I know has kind of been back and forth a little bit with some of his. His international play and then Trey, to have that type of a talented backcourt, Those guards, how valuable is that for a player like you, who you have the ability obviously to come outside, but a good chunk of your work comes on the inside?
Moustapha Thiam • 11:44
Yeah, I mean, if you're a big man, you just, all your wishes is just have a backcourt that's like, you know, really good, like, you know, a talented backcourt, which we have here. So I think that really helped makes our job easier. You know, you just put the ball in their hands and just once you learn how to play with them and just how to move off of their moves, I think it just makes it easier for big men. And also on the defense side, you know, they're really good too. So I think it's really important to have a backcourt like Elliot and McKenney.
Brian Boesch • 12:14
I saw you started taking some three point shots here last season. Where is that at? How can that become a key part of your game?
Moustapha Thiam • 12:25
I've been working on it since I got to college, but you know, sometimes I just don't get the chance to shoot it much. You know, it just happened. But I still working on it. I work on it every single day. My workouts, I've been shooting a lot. You know, I be, you know, finishing and shooting a lot. But I think that really helps the team because once the five men or the four men start stepping out and shoot the three, it just space the floor and stuff like that. I think that will really help.
Brian Boesch • 12:48
Defensively, what is key in your game? What do you think you do really
Moustapha Thiam • 12:51
well on the defensive end just to, you know, guard basically everything, you know, try to guard the guards, the bigs, try to switch and stuff like that. Slide them puppies. And I think it's a really good thing when you're big and you just move really well so. And just defend the, defend the block. Like just block shots, you know, play with energy and talk, communicate a lot.
Brian Boesch • 13:14
Yeah. Acclimation wise. Off the court. You mentioned how you and Jalen and JP have, have really gotten to know each other well, the group as a whole. Do you guys feel like you've been around together maybe longer than you actually have because of the, the relationships you've been able to develop?
Moustapha Thiam • 13:30
Oh, yeah, they, they, they, they really welcoming, you know, Elliot, McKenney, you know, the guards, everybody in the team, people that was here last year, really welcoming. You know, we just be, you know, sometimes we just be hanging out with the team, the whole team. We go into Harry house, you know, Harry's house, you know, and just hang out with the team. I think it's a really important thing, especially in the summer, to just build relationships between players and just, you know, get comfortable being with each other. I think it's a really good thing and we'll be doing that too.
Brian Boesch • 13:59
You've been here. This is your third college stop. First two. You guys have had some really, really solid runs, but haven't quite gotten to the NCAA tournament. What would it mean for you to be able to play in that tournament and to try to go a long way, like this Michigan team did last year?
Moustapha Thiam • 14:14
I mean, that's why I'm here, you know, just ready to get to work. And that would mean a lot, you know, because winning is just so important. You know, once you win, everybody eats. People say that a lot, which is true. So, you know, we just. I'm just here and ready to work, and, you know, winning will mean a lot for me.
Brian Boesch • 14:31
Yeah. Hobbies. Outside of basketball, what do you like to do when you're not here at the gym?
Moustapha Thiam • 14:36
Fishing.
Brian Boesch • 14:37
Yeah.
Moustapha Thiam • 14:37
Yeah, I like to fish.
Brian Boesch • 14:38
Were you. Were you the reason why did you organize the fishing trip?
Moustapha Thiam • 14:42
Yeah, But Oscar really like fishing, too. So, you know, he put me with. You know, there was a guy, Will. Will Tschetter last year.
Brian Boesch • 14:49
Yeah.
Moustapha Thiam • 14:49
You know, he. He knows a lot about fishing tools, so they just got us fishing rods. And I love fishing.
Brian Boesch • 14:55
Oscar.
Moustapha Thiam • 14:55
Love fishing. JP Love fishing. And we just started hanging out and just going fishing.
Brian Boesch • 14:59
Love it. What do you think of Ann Arbor so far?
Moustapha Thiam • 15:01
Great. I'm loving the place right now. In the summer. Especially in the summer. It's nice. I'm loving it.
Brian Boesch • 15:06
And did you watch some of the World Cup? Like, are you still a soccer fan now that you haven't played as much, or did you not really follow too much?
Moustapha Thiam • 15:13
Yes, I watched the soccer, but I was really watching the games when my team, Senegal, was playing. But once they lost, I wasn't really involved into it, but I was still watching a little.
Brian Boesch • 15:24
It was Belgium, right?
Moustapha Thiam • 15:25
Yeah. They lost again.
Brian Boesch • 15:26
Yeah.
Brian Boesch • 15:26
It would have been Senegal. Us.
Moustapha Thiam • 15:28
Yeah.
Brian Boesch • 15:29
Who would have won that?
Moustapha Thiam • 15:30
Senegal, of course, man. I mean, we. We were up two zero into, like, no, five minutes seven minutes ago. So I think, yeah, I was working out, and then one of the managers told me, yo, they just scored two goals in a row. I'm like, what? Yeah, it was. Yeah, that was insane. But know, on Senegal lost, I was like, ah, you know? But I was still watching a little bit of.
Brian Boesch • 15:53
I understand, Mustafa. Appreciate the time. Thanks for making time for us and looking forward to seeing your growth here as we get toward the season.
Moustapha Thiam • 16:00
Yes, sir. Thank you for having me, man.
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Brian Boesch • 16:10
Great stuff with Moustapha Thiam. Really enjoyed the conversation, so thanks to him for carving out some time. Thanks to Tom Weirat for his assistance, as always. Thanks to all of you. We will have continuing coverage here on Defend the Block did get a chance to talk to a few other players. We're going to start talking to the freshmen over the next few weeks here on the show. Also get some women's basketball coverage going. Excited to share what's been going on in Kim Barnes Arico's program in the coming weeks too, but we will have some conversations with a few freshmen. Those have already been recorded, so it will not cover some of the work being done and the trip coming up, but still some awesome stuff with some of the newcomers to the program like Moustapha Thiam. But these young men are new to the college game and a lot to dig in with all of them. So excited to share that.
Brian Boesch • 17:00
Quinn Costello will be first up next week. Can't wait to share that with you. Thanks for listening. Looking forward to following along from afar. Michigan out in Lithuania and Croatia. I'm Brian Boesch. Thanks as always for listening and go Blue.
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Jeff Laurence • 17:13
Thanks for listening to today's edition of Defend the Block, part of our Michigan Athletics Podcast network, MGO Blue Podcasts. The preceding has been a Learfield presentation of the Michigan Sports Network.
