ANN ARBOR, Mich. – As the NBA draft approaches, Yaxel Lendeborg finds himself at a crossroads.
The talented big man is weighing his options between entering the draft and committing to the Michigan Wolverines basketball program.
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While pondering his decision ahead of the NCAA withdrawal deadline for college players who’ve entered the 2025 draft on May 28, the promising young prospect reflected on his journey and the excitement of being surrounded by top players in Chicago at the NBA draft combine.
Lendeborg expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “This whole process has been amazing. I just can’t really express it too much in words. I’m just super happy to be here.”
Coming from a school like UAB and previously playing at junior college, he aims to showcase his versatility on the court.
“I feel like my game is still developing, but I’m getting caught up to date. I’m a willing passer, a good rebounder, and I just want to show I’m a jack of all trades,” Lendeborg said.
Reflecting on his five-year journey, he acknowledged the challenges he faced early on.
“It’s a blessing to be honest with you. All glory to God and thank you to my mom for helping me out and digging me out of the hole that I was in,” Lendeborg said.
As Lendeborg considers whether to stay in college or enter the NBA draft, he describes his current mindset as “60-40” in favor of Michigan.
“This whole process is really opening my eyes. I’m definitely stuck in between,” Lendeborg said.
He emphasized the importance of feeling secure in his decision.
“I want to be in a position where I know I can get the opportunity to play and prove myself,” Lendeborg said.
He also discussed the NIL situation at Michigan, noting that while they presented a number, it wasn’t about the money for him; it was more about his trust in the men in maize.
The 6′9″, 220-pound super athlete spoke highly of his interactions with Wolverines head coach Dusty May.
“I was a fan of Dusty’s since he was at FAU. From the jump, he expressed that he’s willing to wait while I go through this NBA combine process,” Lendeborg said.
Lendeborg said he appreciates his coaches’ and teammates’ support, which he believes will help him transition to the next level.
When asked if he was an undersized big man or a tall playmaker, Lendeborg said the ladder as he grew up a fan of Erving “Magic” Johnson.
“I would say I’m a bigger guard,” Lendeborg said. “When I started playing basketball, it was all guard play. I was trying to be like Magic Johnson, so hopefully I can keep that narrative going.”
When asked about his rebounding skills, he attributed his success to timing and positioning as he drew inspiration from NBA Hall of Fame forward Dennis Rodman.
“I watched a little video about Dennis Rodman speaking about how he used to get the timing down on rebounds, and that stuck with me. I’ve been using that to my advantage as much as I can while trying to beat everybody to the ball,” Lendeborg said.
Lendeborg continued:
“I’m not the most athletic guy, so I try to beat guys to the spot and figure out where it’s going to go before they do,” Lendeborg said.
He acknowledged the difference in competition at the combine compared to college, saying, “The pace is different, and the level of play is much higher.”
As he considers his future, he hopes to receive a promise from a team before making a decision. “If it doesn’t happen by then, then the decision is going to be really hard to make,” Lendeborg said.
Lendeborg also shared personal insights about his upbringing, including how his mother played a significant role in his development.
“Before my senior year, my mom had a real heart-to-heart conversation with me. That really stuck with me,” Lendeborg said.
He expressed excitement about the possibility of playing alongside potential talented teammates at Michigan, saying, “I feel like it would be amazing. Hopefully, we can build a quick chemistry.”
Lendeborg remains optimistic about his future, saying, “I’m super grateful, super humble about this situation, and hopefully, I can make the best of it.”
Although he has his feet in the NBA and at the University of Michigan, Lendeborg must decide by May 28, 2025, whether to come to Michigan or stay put in the draft.
If he attends Michigan in the fall, May’s group could potentially be a powerhouse not only in the Big Ten but in the NCAA as a whole.
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