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April 05, 2025
Yaxel Lendeborg: The #1 candidate in the NCAA transfer portal and one of the most powerful big men in college basketball, Yaxel Lendeborg, has officially committed to Michigan.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN on Saturday, he made the announcement.
He has also declared for the NBA draft while still being eligible to attend college, so his future in Ann Arbor is still unclear in the open.
According to ESPN's draft projections, Lendeborg is focused on looking at his NBA prospective at number 28.
Securing a multiyear contract with a guarantee is his primary goal.
He will return to college basketball and play for Michigan under head coach Dusty May if he does not get strong guarantees from an NBA team.
Focused on the NBA Dream
"Right now, my main focus is on the draft process and making it to the NBA," Lendeborg said.
"I want a contract that is guaranteed. The most important thing is to make sure I'm in a good place.
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Playing college basketball in Ann Arbor is preferable to moving in and out of the G League on a two-way deal. I'm looking for a safe spot.
First-round picks are given rookie-scale contracts that last four years. Significant multiyear deals are frequently secured by those chosen even early in the second round.
Ten days after the NBA Combine ends on May 18, Lendeborg has until May 28 to select out of the draft and save his NCAA eligibility.
A Record-Breaking Season
Last season, Lendeborg was one the most successful college basketball players.
He scored 17.9 points, grabbed 11.4 rebounds, dished out 4.2 assists, blocked 1.7 shots, and stole 1.6 steals on average.
He made 36% of his three-point attempts and 55% of his shots from inside the arc. UAB qualified to the NIT quarterfinals because of his outstanding performances.
Also, Lendeborg joined the legendary Larry Bird as the only player in NCAA Division I history to record more than 600 points, 400 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single season.
Also, he was voted Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to the First Team All-AAC for two straight seasons.
An Unconventional Journey
Lendeborg's journey to stardom has not been like other celebrities.
He had little prior experience playing organized basketball, unlike to many top college players.
Before his mother made a decision that would change his life, he played in just 11 high school varsity games.
"Honestly, for most of my life, I was more into video games than basketball," Lendeborg said.
"For me, playing was like a religion, and I would play for 19 hours every day.
My mother forced me get on a plane to Arizona because I wasn't the best student. The best thing that ever happened to me was that.
He got accepted to a junior college in Arizona after making an impression at a Dominican players' the exposure camp in New York.
He then traveled to UAB, where he found a father figure in head coach Andy Kennedy.
He has never followed a set workout schedule before this past summer.
He now feels that he is only beginning to realize his full potential.
The Michigan Connection
Lendeborg will step into the role left by Danny Wolf, a 7-footer and likely top-20 draft pick who excelled at Michigan last season, if he goes back to college.
Under Coach Dusty May, Wolf shown his versatility by playing a variety of positions, including center, power forward, and point guard.
Lendeborg was motivated by Wolf's success. "It’s amazing what Dusty May did with Danny Wolf," he said.
"This season, when I watched his games, I thought, 'Man, I wish that was me.'" That same versatility is what I hope to bring to Michigan.
Lendeborg still focuses on the NBA draft process for the time period. His professional career will start right away if he is able to get a guaranteed deal.
Otherwise, he will carry his skill and will to Michigan, where he hopes to improve even more.
If he plays in the NBA or the NCAA next season, Yaxel Lendeborg is a name to watch because of his incredible journey, excellent skill set, and strong will to succeed.
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