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Newsstand: Social media reacts to Yaxel Lendeborg withdrawing from NBA Draft to play at Michigan

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•05/28/25•

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Yaxel Lendeborg announced Tuesday that he has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will play for Michigan basketball in 2025-26. Lendeborg spent the last two seasons at UAB, entered the transfer portal, pledged to U-M, went through the draft process and ultimately decided to return to college basketball.

The Puerto Rico-born, Dominican Republic, Ohio and New Jersey-raised standout is the No. 1 transfer in the portal this offseason, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

He averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 33.6 minutes per game at UAB last season. Lendeborg will be part of a new-look Michigan front court that features two other transfers in UCLA center Aday Mara and Illinois forward Morez Johnson Jr., among others.

Lendeborg impressed at the NBA Combine this month, including with his 6-foot-8 and 1/2 inches barefoot measurement and 7’4″ wingspan. He also dropped 13 points with 9 rebounds and 2 assists in his first scrimmage, before struggling by shooting 2-of-6 from the field with 2 turnovers the following day. The UAB transfer worked out with multiple NBA teams on an individual basis, as well.

Looking for a promise from an NBA team that they’d draft him in the first round, Lendeborg was torn all the way through the process, knowing playing at Michigan was a great option too.

Andy Katz gives his take on Michigan officially landing Lendeborg.

More reaction on Lendeborg to Michigan.

On3’s Jamie Shaw projects Michigan’s rotation with Lendeborg in the fold.

Swanky Wolverine with an edit from Wolf of Wall Street on the big news.

Lendeborg told reporters at the NBA Combine that Michigan approached his recruitment differently than contenders Kentucky and Auburn.

“From the jump, [Dusty May] was expressing to me that he was willing to wait while I go through this NBA Combine process,” Lendeborg said. “Other teams weren’t saying the same thing. They were willing to out-bid the NBA, and I wasn’t messing with that. I wanted a school that was gonna rock with me from the beginning to the end. That was Dusty.”

The Champions Circle announced that Lendeborg has signed with the collective.

Quote Of The Day

“After my January visit, I was kind of thinking ‘I’m going to Michigan.’ And when everyone started talking about Bama— it makes sense, just being from the south, growing up a Bama fan—so I understood it. Knowing that and being able to be like, ‘Man, I’m going to shock the world,’ and then seeing everyone’s reaction, was really cool.”

— Cartersville (Ga.) Cass three-star Michigan offensive lineman commit Bear McWhorter to The Wolverine, reflecting on his commitment

Headlines Of The Day

• Ethan McDowell, The Wolverine: From The Road: 4-star OL Leo Delaney down to 3 schools, priority DL Ben Boulware shuffles OV schedule
• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: Yaxel Lendeborg ‘moves the needle’: Michigan a legit national title contender with nation’s top transfer in the fold
• Ethan McDowell, The Wolverine: Michigan recruiting board reset: Wolverine EDGE board still loaded with blue-chip prospects
• Anthony Broome, The Wolverine: EA Sports College Football 26 features Bryce Underwood, Denard Robinson on cover
• Ethan McDowell, The Wolverine: Former Alabama commit Ba’Roc Willis hears positive Michigan pitch from Metcalf brothers

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