Yaxel Lendeborg could have heard his name called in the 2025 NBA Draft had he decided to enter, although it would have been near the end of the first night, or early in the second. However, the former UAB star bet that former Michigan basketball head coach Dusty May could develop him further and prepare him that much more for the league, so he ultimately ended up in Ann Arbor for a year.
And May made good on his promise to Lendeborg.
The 24-year-old forward was something of a Swiss Army Knife for the Wolverines, showing that he was capable of running the floor as much as he was adept at scoring and being stellar defensively. Though many of his stats were worse in Ann Arbor, he showed that he could be a decisive presence who was also a team player, rather than the centerpiece of the team.
Ultimately, Lendeborg was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the No. 11 pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, further proving it was a good move for him to have one more year of college. He was the second Wolverine off the board with Morez Johnson Jr. being selected by Dusty May and Dallas.
Though Lendeborg was solid this season — he managed an average of 30.2 minutes per game in 40 games, averaging 15.1 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists — his leadership and grit were both heavily on display, just as much as his ability on the floor. Lendeborg sustained both a knee and ankle injury in the Final Four, and yet, still managed to play (although at about 40% strength, he said) in the national championship game against UConn.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Yaxel Lendeborg finds NBA success after Michigan bet
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire | USA TODAY Network
