This week, the Michigan Wolverines basketball team made headlines with a monumental addition to its roster: the commitment of Yaxel Lendeborg.
His decision to officially withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft shocked the media. The former UAB star was projected as a late first-round pick, but due to the lack of a guaranteed first-round selection, he opted to continue his development in college rather than enter the NBA this year.
Now, with him at the helm, Michigan is being considered among the big winners who secured talented stars from NBA Draft withdrawals. Some analysts also believe that his decision has entirely changed the outlook for the Wolverines, making them a stronger contender for the upcoming season.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s Draft Withdrawal Is a Game-Changer for Michigan
The No. 1 player in the transfer portal put up some incredible numbers at UAB. He averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game last season.
His shooting performance was equally impressive, as he hit 52.2% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. He also broke UAB’s single-season record with 420 rebounds and led the NCAA with 26 double-doubles.
Yaxel Lendeborg changes the #B1GMBBall landscape by withdrawing from the NBA Draft to join @umichbball.
@TheAndyKatz reacts to the news
pic.twitter.com/pDsM9GSEMs
— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) May 27, 2025
These numbers show why Michigan’s outlook for 2025-26 is looking much brighter with Lendeborg joining their camp. On the “Locked On College Basketball” podcast, analyst Isaac Schade also highlighted Lendeborg’s impact.
“One other honorable mention is Yaxel Lendeborg deciding to pull out of the draft and complete his transfer from UAB to Michigan,” he said. “I think that just so drastically changes who Michigan is going to be this year because of everything he does and will bring to the frontcourt.”
Despite showcasing big numbers at the NBA Combine, he decided to return to college, which surprised most, including Schade’s podcast partner and fellow analyst, Andy Patton.
“He was the most surprising to me. … I was surprised to see him come back … he was already getting a first-round grade,” Patton added. “It’s risky to come back to school, where the odds of improving your draft stock are probably not as good as the odds that you might depreciate your draft stock.”
There is obviously some risk involved here, and no doubt, by making his draft U-turn, Lendeborg is betting on himself. But the positive sign is that his arrival comes at a time when Michigan is building a stacked roster.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
The Wolverines finished 27-10 last season and reached the Sweet 16. They are ranked as a preseason top-10 team. With Lendeborg now in the mix, Michigan might be eyeing a Big Ten title — and a deep March Madness run.
His all-around game, elite rebounding, and defensive grit make him a perfect fit for Dusty May’s coaching style. Simply put, the 22-year-old could be the missing piece that turns Michigan into a true championship contender.
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