At the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Yaxel Lendeborg gained a lot of attention and turned the right eyes towards him with his physical prowess. The forward, who recently committed to Michigan out of the transfer portal, featured the following measurements: 6’8 ½” barefoot, 234.6 pounds, a 7’4″ wingspan, and a 9’0 ½” standing reach.
These numbers can be very advantageous for a player already on the cusp of a pro career.
Michigan Transfer Yaxel Lendeborg Has The Perfect Physical Recipe For NBA
After an impressive season at UAB, where he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game, the young player is weighing whether to make a leap to the NBA or stay at Dusty May’s Michigan Wolverines. His combined performance has only made the decision harder for the young player.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s NBA Draft Combine measurements:
6’8 ½” no shoes | 234.6 lbs | 7’4″ wingspan | 9’0 ½” standing reach
Seems like a lock that he won’t be playing a game for Michigan. pic.twitter.com/t0JXK8cTyM
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) May 12, 2025
The Wolverines, coming off a strong transfer portal haul with additions like Elliot Cadeau and Aday Mara, see Lendeborg as the piece they have been missing till now. He’d slot right into Danny Wolf’s spot in the starting lineup.
At UAB, Lendeborg led the NCAA with 26 double-doubles, set a program record with 420 rebounds, and earned AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Numbers like his season-high 30 points and 20 rebounds in a 94-77 rout of East Carolina show how much potential he holds.
Despite his commitment to Michigan, Lendeborg remains in the middle of a crossroads. Speaking with Big Ten Network’s Andy Katz at the combine, he admitted, “I’m more in between than I can be, to be honest.” He called his Michigan visit “amazing” and said he’d “love to play there,” but the NBA’s is just too big to be rejected.
Lendeborg has until May 28 to withdraw from the draft and retain NCAA eligibility, and he plans to take every second he has left to make himself completely sure about his choice.
His choice hinges on what brings him “the most peace”, and likely a first-round guarantee from an NBA team. Currently, NBADraft.net projects him as the No. 29 overall pick, while The Athletic tabs him as an early second-rounder.
As the combine wraps up on May 18, Lendeborg’s decision may have some significant repercussions.
KEEP READING: Why College Basketball Players Keep Transfer Options Open After Declaring for the NBA Draft
His physical gifts and on-court production make him one of the most promising NBA prospects in the current cycle, but on the other hand Michigan won’t shy away from going to the far end and make offers that will secure Lenderborg for another season.
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