The school basketball switch portal is already popping, and a few early winners are rising on the lads’s facet. Louisville added three nice perimeter gamers to associate with incoming five-star recruit Mikel Brown Jr. to doubtlessly emerge as a top-10 group subsequent season. North Carolina hit it large by getting a dedication from former Arizona 7-footer Henri Veesaar. The Michigan Wolverines already had a superb class going two main commitments, and now they’ve landed a good greater star.
Yaxel Lendeborg dedicated to Michigan on Saturday morning, in line with a number of experiences. Lendeborg was among the best gamers in school basketball this 12 months at UAB. The 6’9 large man led the Blazers in factors, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, however his group nonetheless missed the NCAA event after dropping within the AAC event title recreation to Memphis. Lendeborg put his identify within the switch portal, and was ranked because the No. 1 participant accessible.
He joins head coach Dusty Could’s switch portal haul, which already consists of former Illinois large man Morez Johnson and former North Carolina level guard Elliot Cadeau. The Wolverines are trying stacked for subsequent season coming off a Candy 16 run, however provided that they really get Lendeborg on campus.
Lendeborg additionally introduced he’s placing his identify within the 2025 NBA Draft. He advised ESPN insider Jonathan Givony that he’s searching for a assured contract to maintain his identify within the draft. First-round draft picks are robotically given assured contracts, and a few second-round picks negotiate them, too.
Lendeborg didn’t seem within the first-round of our newest 2025 NBA mock draft. He’s the No. 28 general participant on ESPN’s board.
Lendeborg has a mix of dimension, energy, athleticism, and ability that made him nearly unguardable in school basketball this previous season. At 6’9, 240 kilos, he’s a talented inside scorer (17.7 factors per recreation), a fantastic rebounder (11.4 per recreation), a gifted passer (4.2 assists per recreation), and a defensive presence who can block pictures and get into the passing lanes. He even hit 35.7 p.c of his three-pointers on 70 makes an attempt this season.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s excellent season ended within the NIT quarterfinals final evening. The 6’9 large man helped his standing significantly with NBA groups, showcasing his skill to deal with, move, shoot, and rebound, with the kind of two-way versatility, ability, and instincts NBA groups covet pic.twitter.com/iF3cpTt51d
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 27, 2025
Michigan turned Danny Wolf into a possible first-round decide this 12 months by letting the massive man deal with major playmaking duties. It’s straightforward to think about Lendeborg in an identical position, if not because the group’s de facto level guard, then no less than as their lead decision-maker.
Lendeborg shall be thought of among the best gamers in school basketball subsequent season if he’s not within the NBA. He’ll must show himself on the NBA Draft Mix, which runs from Could 11-18.
Michigan is monitoring as a possible top-5 group subsequent season with Lendeborg. Will he really be on campus? The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline isn’t till June 15, so Michigan shall be ready some time.
