With the deadline to withdraw one's name from the 2025 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, one of the bigger names in the college basketball transfer portal made his choice on Tuesday.
Despite being projected as a late first-round pick in a recent ESPN mock draft, former UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg has decided to return to college for a final year.
Ranked as the No. 1 player in On3's transfer portal rankings, Lendeborg had long been committed to the Michigan Wolverines as a transfer but wanted to go through the pre-draft process to test the waters. As revealed in a statement to ESPN, Lendeborg believes he still has room for improvement, and that one year at Michigan can help him tap into his next level as a player.
"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 to ESPN.
UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Lendenborg exploded this past season for the UAB Blazers, averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. In terms of shooting, he was as efficient as they come, making 52.2% from the field and hitting 35.7% from deep.
His strong season also saw him join Larry Bird as the only players in Division 1 college basketball history to score over 600 points, record over 400 rebounds and dish out over 150 assists in a season.
He officially joins a Michigan transfer class headlined by former North Carolina five-star Elliot Cadeau and 7-foot-3 UCLA transfer Aday Mara.
This trio will look to help second-year head coach Dusty May take Michigan to the promised land after falling in the Sweet 16 this past season.