Former UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg had a big decision to make. He hit the transfer portal and committed to the Michigan Wolverines, but at the same time he decided to enter his name in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The NBA is Lendeborg’s ultimate goal, but after two great seasons at UAB, the forward had an opportunity to improve his national profile and his draft stock even more by playing for Dusty May and the Wolverines in 2025.
Despite the fact that he could have been a first-round draft pick (albeit likely later in the first round), Lendeborg has reportedly decided to stay in the college ranks for one more year.
Jonathan Givony of ESPN is reporting that the 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward from Pennsauken, New Jersey, is withdrawing his name from the 2025 NBA Draft.
“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 told Givony.
This is a massive win for May and the Wolverines. Michigan is losing 7-foot center Danny Wolf to the NBA. He averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while playing everything from point guard to center for the Wolverines in 2025.
Lendeborg may not be the do-everything star that Wolf was, but he can still fill up a stat sheet. He averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists for UAB last season.
For what it’s worth, Lendeborg does want to try to play the same type of role that Wolf did for the Wolverines.
“It’s amazing what Dusty May did with Danny Wolf,” Lendeborg said. “I would watch his games this season and say, ‘Man, I wish that was me.’ I’m trying to bring the same type of versatility he brought to Michigan.”
If those numbers and his style of play can translate to the Big Ten, he’ll end up being a star for Michigan.
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