UAB basketball player Yaxel Lendeborg dribbles up the court.
© Chris Jones-Imagn Images
The Michigan basketball team received good news on the transfer market following an NBA Draft decision from Yaxel Lendeborg. The former UAB star pulled his name out of draft class and plans to return to school.
He’d previously committed to play for the Wolverines should he opt to put his professional ambitions on pause. NIL played a role in his decision to spurn the NBA.
Lendeborg is a two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Year that averaged a double-double in each of his campaigns with the Blazers. That production landed him a spot on numerous NBA Draft boards with most projecting the forward as a first-round talent.
The majority of those mock draft tabbed in to go late in that opening round. ESPN listed him at No. 26 in their predictions earlier this month.
That draft slot comes along with an estimated $14.8 million contract, which included a $2.88 million payout as a rookie according to Spotrac. Despite the first-round status, he was never a lock to move forward with his draft entry.
Yaxel Lendeborg went through the NBA Draft process in search of a guaranteed deal. He didn’t want to bounce around the G-League.
“I want a guaranteed contract. That’s the biggest thing, make sure I am in a good spot. I would prefer to play college basketball in Ann Arbor than be in and out of the G-League on a two-way. I want to find a safe spot.”
-Yaxel Lendeborg
The NBA couldn’t offer that guarantee. Michigan could. Reports of a multimillion-dollar deal surfaced on social media. It was enough to lure him to Ann Arbor.
Michigan basketball bought Yaxel Lendeborg’s commitment.
Lendeborg had until May 28th to make his decision. He took it down to the wire before announcing his decision on the 27th. He will play for the Wolverines next year.
That commitment will cost Michigan a pretty penny, though it makes the Wolverines an immediate national title contender moving forward.
Head coach Dusty May led the program to the Sweet 16 in his first season at the helm. He’ll hope for an even deeper run in 2026.
Lendeborg insists NIL wasn’t the only factor in his college decision, though the Wolverines likely had to come close to matching the $3 million payday he was set to receive as a pro.
Former coach Andy Kennedy previously called out tampering teams offering big money to flip the forward before the 2024-25 season. Lendeborg ultimately opted to return to UAB. Kennedy wasn’t able to keep him on the roster this time around.
Yaxel Lendeborg will now take a step up in competition in the Big Ten. He’ll have one more chance to better his NBA Draft outlook while getting paid in the process.