MSU basketball reported transfer portal target commits to rival

One of the rumored Michigan State transfer portal targets has reportedly committed to the Spartans' top rival. Cincinnati transfer center Moustapha Thiam has reportedly committed to Michigan, according to multiple reporters. Thiam visited Michigan earlier this week and that must have been the clinching move for the Wolverines to land a commitment from one of the top center portal targets.

Thiam started all 65 games he played in his first two seasons at Cincinnati, averaging double-digits in scoring in both seasons. This past year, he averaged 12. 8 points, 7.

1 rebounds and 1. 6 blocks per game. Michigan State reportedly showed interest in Thiam last week but when the Spartans landed a commitment from Charlotte transfer center Anton Bonke this week, it seemed clear they were no longer pursuing Thiam.

It's never good to see your rival land a highly-rated transfer portal prospect, but this also may have simply been a situation where Michigan State preferred Bonke of Thiam. We will most likely never know, but it is apparent that both Michigan and Michigan State will field strong teams again next season. Cincinnati's 7-foot-2 center Moustapha Thiam has committed to play for the reigning NCAA champion Michigan Wolverines, he tells ESPN.