When he decided to enter his name in both the transfer portal and the NBA Draft, Yaxel Lendeborg probably thought it would be easier to choose between the two futures. However, that was not the reality he encountered.
What Will Yaxel Lendeborg Do?
As time runs out for him to formalize his decision, Lendeborg has become less and less inclined to either idea. The deadline to withdraw from the transfer portal is May 29, while he has a little more time to do the same for the draft, until June 15.
The 6’9″ forward has already committed to Michigan University in case he decides to return for a third season in the NCAA. However, all indications are that he is still far from making a decision:
“I’m pretty even,” Lendeborg said, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello. “I love Michigan, I love the idea of going over there and developing. But the NBA is what everybody wants. I’m dead in the middle now. It’s hard.”
ESPN predicts that Lendeborg will be selected with the No. 27 pick. This would place him with the Brooklyn Nets as a destination, as Jordi Fernandez’s management will ask for him at that position due to an agreement with the Houston Rockets.
According to Borzello, the player expects to be a top-20 pick.
Lendeborg played his first two NCAA seasons with the UAB Blazers, appearing in 68 games and averaging 31.9 minutes per game. He was an excellent two-point shooter (51.8%) and averaged 15.8 points per game.
According to the 247Sports scouting report, Lendeborg stands out for his unique combination of physical length and agility:
“Beyond the numbers, Lendeborg has a physical profile that adds to his NBA intrigue. He’s 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds with a reported 7-foot-3 wingspan. That length is also a big part of his defensive playmaking metrics. Offensively, he’s very adept at putting the ball on the floor, attacking with both agility and balance through contact.”
It’s a trait that no doubt more than a few teams in the world’s top league will be looking for in their new recruits.
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Having Lendeborg for next season would be very important for Michigan, considering they lost several players who helped them win the Big Ten Tournament last season. The Wolverines also played in the NCAA Division I Tournament, where Auburn eliminated them in the Sweet 16.
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