Big Man Yaxel Lendeborg Chooses Michigan

Yaxel Lendeborg, a standout player from UAB, has made a big move. He is heading to Michigan. This decision comes after he impressed many with his skills on the court. Lendeborg is not just any player. He is the top big man in the NCAA transfer portal. This means he is one of the best players available to transfer to another college team. But here is the twist: Lendeborg is also eyeing the NBA. He plans to enter the NBA draft while keeping his college eligibility open. This means he can still play college basketball if things do not go as planned in the NBA. Lendeborg has a clear goal in mind. He wants a guaranteed contract in the NBA. He does not want to end up in the G League, a minor league where players often struggle to secure stable contracts. He has seen how first-round draft picks get four-year contracts. Many players picked in the top half of the second round also get significant multiyear deals. Lendeborg has until May 28 to decide his next move. The deadline to withdraw from the draft is ten days after the NBA combine, which is scheduled for May 11-18 in Chicago. Lendeborg's journey to becoming a top player is inspiring. He did not start playing organized basketball until later in life. He played only 11 varsity high school games as a senior. His mother pushed him to move to Arizona for a better opportunity. This move changed his life. He went from playing video games all day to becoming a star on the basketball court. At UAB, coach Andy Kennedy became a mentor to him. This past summer, Lendeborg finally got a structured workout plan. He believes he has only scratched the surface of his potential. At UAB, Lendeborg was a force to be reckoned with. He averaged 17. 9 points, 11. 4 rebounds, 4. 2 assists, 1. 7 blocks, and 1. 6 steals per game. He shot 55% from 2-point range and 36% from 3-point range. His performance helped UAB reach the NIT quarterfinals. He is one of only two players in Division I history to achieve 600-plus points, 400-plus rebounds, and 150-plus assists in a single season. He was named Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-AAC in each of the past two seasons. Lendeborg's decision to join Michigan is strategic. He admires coach Dusty May's impact on his teams. He also looks up to Danny Wolf, a 7-footer who had a standout season at Michigan. Wolf's versatility on the court inspired Lendeborg. He wants to bring the same kind of versatility to Michigan. Lendeborg's move to Michigan could fill the void left by Wolf. Wolf's success this season, especially his ability to push the ball off the defensive glass and facilitate the offense, played a part in Lendeborg's decision.