Yaxel Lendeborg is officially a Michigan Wolverine, cementing his transfer from UAB and joining the Wolverines ahead of the 2025 season. On Monday afternoon, Michigan made the news public, bringing clarity to a situation that had been building since early April. At that time, Lendeborg committed to Michigan but opted to test the NBA Draft waters while maintaining his college eligibility. After withdrawing from the draft process last week, Lendeborg has now formally signed with Michigan, confirming that he will suit up under head coach Dusty May this winter.
The 22-year-old forward was the top-ranked player in the NCAA Transfer Portal and instantly becomes the crown jewel of Michigan’s offseason acquisitions. Lendeborg’s arrival is a significant boost to May’s roster and sets high expectations for his second year at the helm in Ann Arbor. Michigan fans were ecstatic at the announcement, especially after Lendeborg shared a celebratory “Let’s goooooo” on social media.
Lendeborg will be part of a revamped and ambitious Michigan squad that includes several other high-profile additions. He’ll join forces with Elliot Cadeau (transferring from North Carolina), Morez Johnson Jr. (from Illinois), and Aday Mara (from UCLA). Together, they aim to elevate a team that reached the Sweet Sixteen last season. These newcomers will team up with returning players like Trey McKenney, Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle Jr., and Will Tschetter as Michigan strives to contend for a Big Ten title and a deeper NCAA Tournament run.
During the 2024 season at UAB, Lendeborg was dominant on both ends of the floor. He averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. His all-around excellence earned him back-to-back AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the All-AAC First Team. With a rare blend of size, agility, and basketball IQ, he has been widely regarded as one of the most impactful power forwards in college basketball.
Lendeborg’s journey to Michigan included some uncertainty, as he seriously contemplated making the leap to the professional ranks. He entered the NBA Draft but kept his college eligibility intact, allowing him to weigh his options thoroughly. At the NBA Combine, he openly discussed the difficulty of the decision, admitting, “I am more in between than I can be, to be honest.” His plan was clear: if he received a multi-year guaranteed contract—typically associated with being selected in the first round—he would have gone pro. Without that assurance, he took an official visit to Michigan, where he found a coaching staff that fully supported his aspirations and offered a promising vision for his role on the team.
Despite strong performances at the Combine and impressive physical measurements—standing 6-foot-8.5 without shoes, weighing 234.6 pounds, with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and a 9-foot-0.5 standing reach—Lendeborg ultimately decided that another year in college would best serve his long-term goals. His decision was not made lightly, and he appears to be approaching this opportunity with clear intent and ambition.
In a recent conversation with NCAA analyst Andy Katz, Lendeborg shared his aspirations for the upcoming season, saying, “I set a goal 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.” These words reflect a mindset focused on leadership, team success, and personal excellence—qualities that will likely make him a cornerstone of the Wolverines’ 2025 campaign.
Assistant coach Mike Boynton emphasized just how critical Lendeborg’s addition is to the program. “Here’s what we said as a staff: We wanted to be able to meet the expectations that we’ve set so far after one year and be able to continue to compete for Big Ten championships and make runs in the NCAA tournament,” Boynton said. “And then beyond that, could we add someone who could take us to another level… someone who could potentially take us from a team that’s just a contender to possibly being a favorite to win the Big Ten or even make a deep tournament run?”
Michigan’s coaching staff had identified a shortlist of five or six potential game-changers in the portal, but Lendeborg stood out above the rest. According to Boynton, “There was one in particular that we thought could really move the needle.” That player is now officially a Wolverine, and the excitement surrounding the program has reached new heights.
Lendeborg’s commitment solidifies Michigan’s place as one of the most intriguing teams heading into the 2025 college basketball season. With a blend of experienced transfers, talented underclassmen, and a coaching staff committed to building a winning culture, the Wolverines are poised to make a serious run at conference and national titles. And with Lendeborg anchoring the frontcourt, those aspirations no longer seem out of reach—they’re nowthe expectation.