When Dusty May pulled something of a college basketball coup, landing the No. 1 overall player in the transfer portal this offseason in former UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg, the question was: would the Wolverines be able to hold onto him? After all, Lendeborg had entered the NBA draft and was projecting to be a first-rounder.
Prevailing wisdom indicated that Michigan basketball was a placeholder for a player who likely would end up going to the league, and thus, the maize and blue would end up scrambling to find a replacement.
However, on Tuesday, Lendeborg surprised by withdrawing from the NBA draft and opted to play for one year in Ann Arbor after all. Now May has a solid group that certainly looks like it will be a Final Four contender, especially when you consider the other additions, including guard Elliot Cadeau, forward Morez Johnson Jr., center Aday Mara, and five-star guard Trey McKenney, the true freshman.
Lendeborg shares why he opted to withdraw
Speaking with a Birmingham, Alabama sports outlet, The Banner, Lendeborg indicated that while he felt like he’s ready for the professional ranks, he knows that he can grow his game with May and the Michigan basketball staff. With that in mind, NBA personnel shared with him that he can’t go wrong by adding another year of college ball to his game, particularly working on certain things to improve his current deficiencies.
“When I working out with NBA teams, working through that whole process talking with teams, they pretty much assured me, or reassured me, that even if I was to go to Michigan, the majority of them would still be with me and it wouldn’t hurt my draft stock,” Lendeborg said. “I wouldn’t say I wasn’t ready to go into the draft, but skill wise I don’t know if I would be as productive as I think I am. Pretty much what decided it was teams telling me I could still get drafted in the same spot or better if I go polish my game.”
Certainly, the maize and blue faithful have to be thankful that he can work his way higher in the next draft, earning that guaranteed contract that he seemingly covets. He can look no further to Danny Wolf, who was not seen as a draft lock before leaving Yale for Ann Arbor. Now, with a year with May and company under his belt, he’s assured to be a first-round draft pick next month.
Lendeborg says the decision was clear
As noted, Lendeborg was looking for a guaranteed contract, and that wasn’t assured to him. With an undisclosed NIL deal coming his way in Ann Arbor, he feels like the decision was essentially made for him.
“It was sort of a very clear decision for me because nobody really promised or guaranteed me that first round,” Lendeborg said. “There were a lot saying I would be first round but none would guarantee it was them at that moment.”
Now the big question is who will be the starters and who will be in rotation for the Wolverines? Lendeborg, obviously, will be a starter for the maize and blue, but the frontcourt has a ton of options with him, Mara, Johnson, Will Tschetter, Winters Grady, and others vying for playing time at Crisler Center this upcoming season.
Last season, Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds, but he can also facilitate, having an average of 4.2 assists per game, as well.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Yaxel Lendeborg explains choosing Michigan basketball over NBA draft for 2025
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
