Kentucky reaches out to star transfer prospect Yaxel Lendeborg

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Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Yaxel Lendeborg, one of the best players to enter his name into the transfer portal so far this offseason, has already heard from the Wildcats.

On3’s Joe Tipton reports Kentucky was among several schools that reached out to Lendeborg since he officially jumped into the portal on Monday morning. After two seasons at UAB, the 6-foot-9 forward is looking to spend his final college season at a high-major program. According to Tipton, Arkansas, BYU, Auburn, Michigan, Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgetown, and Memphis have also reached out.

During the 2024-25 season, Lendeborg started all 37 games at UAB posting per-game averages of 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals in 33.6 minutes per outing. He shot 52.2 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three-point range, and 75.7 percent from the free throw line.

Lendeborg is also expected to test the NBA Draft waters. ESPN recently projected him as the 53rd overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.

UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg has heard from the following schools since entering the portal earlier today, per source:

Arkansas
Kentucky
BYU
Auburn
Michigan
Alabama
Ole Miss
Georgetown
Memphishttps://t.co/PBnHOGcSdT https://t.co/syr8ixGNjy pic.twitter.com/fhx8fusmrg
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 31, 2025

Upon his entry into the portal, Lendeborg immediately became one of the most talented — and in turn, likely one of the most expensive — players available.

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He actually began his college career in the JUCO ranks where he spent two seasons at Arizona Western College. While there, he was a two-time NJCAA All-American and a back-to-back ACCAC Player of the Year. Lendeborg then made the jump to Divison I hoops and was productive right away with per-game averages of 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 blocks during the 2023-24 season as a junior.

The 22-year-old native of Puerto Rico earned American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named AAC Tournament MVP during his first season with UAB. Not only did his overall numbers improve in year two with the Blazers, but he also repeated as AAC Defensive Player of the Year and was named an All-AAC First-Team selection for the second straight season. His 26 double-doubles in 2024-25 led the NCAA as he set a program record for rebounds in a single season (420).

Lendeborg will be arguably the biggest fish of the portal season. We’ll see if the Kentucky staff can reel him in.