Per ESPN, Michigan’s top portal transfer Yaxel Lendeborg will withdraw his name from the NBA draft and play his final year of eligibility with the Wolverines. He was a projected first-round pick in this year’s draft, but believes he will grow and develop more during his time at Michigan.
Lendeborg was ranked as the No. 1 player in the transfer portal after a fantastic 3 seasons with the UAB Blazers. He was the AAC tournament MVP in 2024, as well as earning All-ACC honors, and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach Dusty May has brought in an impressive transfer portal class for the 2025-26 season, and Lendenborg’s decision to stick with Michigan only solidifies this. He had an impressive stat line in 2024, averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 37 games. His ability to attack on both sides of the floor will pay dividends for the Wolverines in 2025-26.
The Wolverines will look to improve on an already impressive 2024 season, which saw them win the Big Ten tournament and make it to the Sweet Sixteen, all in Dusty May’s first season. May added a plethora of talent in the transfer portal, including point guard Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), power forward Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois), and center Aday Mara (UCLA).
With the additions of all of these top transfer players, the Wolverines also bring in five-star guard Trey McKenney, and retain Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter, LJ Cason, and Roddy Gayle Jr.
Lendeborg’s decision to choose the Wolverines over the NBA will be crucial to the team’s success in 2025-26. The forward will be a major part of the Wolverines’ hopes to repeat as Big Ten tournament champs and make a huge March Madness run.
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