Cincinnati big man Moustapha Thiam transfers to Michigan

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th April, 15:12 2026

Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) makes a basket from three point range in the first half of the second round of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Cincinnati Bearcats and UCF Knights, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO.

Former Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam told ESPN on Friday that he has committed to play for national champion Michigan.

Thiam, who is listed at 7-foot-2 and 250 pounds, has two seasons of eligibility remaining and is expected to aid in the Wolverines' revamped frontcourt.

The Senegal native joins fellow transfers J.P. Estrella (Tennessee) and Jalen Reed (LSU) in joining a Michigan squad that is expected to lose projected first-round NBA draft picks Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr.

Thiam averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 31 games (all starts) last season for the Bearcats. He shot 52.5% from the field and 28.8% from beyond the arc.

Thiam transferred to Cincinnati from UCF, where he started 34 games in 2024-25. He averaged 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks with the Knights.

--Field Level Media