Forward Yaxel Lendeborg committed to the Michigan men’s basketball team on April 5 through the transfer portal, but still planned on testing the waters of the NBA Draft. After doing so, Lendeborg has decided to withdraw from the draft and play for Michigan next season, according to Shams Charania on X on Tuesday.
This decision comes just under a month before the official start of the 2025 NBA Draft. Many experts didn’t know if he would stay in the draft or come back to college, especially as a 22 year old who will be 23 years old for all of next season.
Lendeborg, however, is considered to be the best playing in this offseason’s transfer portal, according to On3, and will bring much experience and size to the Wolverines’ frontcourt now that he has officially decided to play another year of collegiate basketball.
Michigan’s frontcourt will likely already have two picks in this year’s draft. With the departure of forward Danny Wolf and center Vlad Goldin, Lendeborg will attempt to fill those vacancies with his elite play down low both as a finisher and rebounder. Last season Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game at UAB and will look to translate much of his success to the Big Ten stage.
The Wolverines, coming off a Big Ten Tournament Championship and Sweet 16 appearance in coach Dusty May’s first year, are looking to build on the successes of Year 1 of the May era — and with Lendeborg officially committing to play for Michigan, the Wolverines’ lineup is starting to shape up.
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