Yaxel Lendeborg’s NBA Draft decision is massive news for Michigan’s championship hopes

Michigan had to figure that it had, at best, a 50-50 chance of keeping Yaxel Lendeborg on board.

The No. 1 transfer in the entire country, the UAB star chose the Wolverines and Dusty May. But first, he tested out the NBA Draft process.

It seems likely that a first-round guarantee was what Lendeborg wanted.

But whatever the reasoning, Michigan knows its Lendeborg fate: He’s coming to Ann Arbor after all.

Lendeborg told ESPN of his decision on Tuesday.

“While it’s been and still is a dream of mine to play in the NBA, I feel the development and growth as a player and a person I will gain at the University of Michigan will be very beneficial,” Lendeborg said.

Lendeborg was an absolute stud for UAB in 2024-25, averaging 17.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.6 steals per game while even shooting 36 percent from 3-point range.

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In the AAC quarterfinal, the 6-foot-9 star scored 30 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, dished out eight assists, blocked five shots and nabbed four steals while shooting 9-16 from the floor and 11-13 from the line with no turnovers.

According to ESPN, Lendeborg joined Larry Bird as one of only two players in D-I history to have a season with at least 600 points, 400 rebounds and 150 assists.

Lendeborg was originally a junior college player. Then he made it to UAB, and now it’s to the Big Ten and Michigan to compete for championships.

The NBA will be in Lendeborg’s future, but the professional ranks will wait one more year.