Yaxel Lendeborg leaning towards playing at Michigan this season

Michigan men’s basketball has momentum behind it heading into the 2025-26 season, and the No. 1 transfer portal class in the country is the main reason why. Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 1 player in the portal, committed to the Wolverines in April while leaving his NBA options open.

The NBA Combine is underway (May 11-18), and Lendeborg is among the 75 players participating in Chicago.

Michigan basketball has a good chance to retain the top player in the transfer portal

With a wingspan of 7-foot-4, Lendeborg has a longer reach than former Michigan star Danny Wolf (7-foot-2), despite being two inches shorter. The length of Lendeborg allows him to guard in the paint more effectively and get shots off around taller defenders.

It was reported that Lendeborg only needs a guaranteed contract to go to the NBA, but he said he’s favoring joining the Wolverines at the moment.

“Man, I’m more in between than I can be,” Lendeborg said on Monday. “I took the visit to Michigan; the visit was amazing and I really loved it. I would love to play there. The NBA thing is just the (end) all be all, so it’s like 50/50, maybe 60/40.”

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Lendeborg said the 60 represents the maize and blue.

Whether he decides to play at Michigan or go into the NBA, Lendeborg is up for a sizable change. He said it will come down to whatever feels right.

“Just how comfortable I feel, whatever brings me the most peace,” Lendeborg said of what will make the difference.

As a senior at UAB he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. With size and versatility, Lendeborg could be one of the best players in the country if he stays at the college level for one more year.

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“I set goals for myself. (If) I go to Michigan I would want to win Big Ten Player of the Year and at least get us to the final four, and if not, it’s going to be a bad year for me,” he said.

Lendeborg has ten days to make his decision and said he plans to use all of them.

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