UAB big guy Lendeborg devotes to Wolverines

• Jonathan GivonyApr 5, 2025
  , 08:32 AM ET Close NBA draft analyst and writer Signed Up With ESPN.com in July 2017
  Creator and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and worldwide groups

UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg, the leading huge man in the NCAA transfer portal, has actually devoted to Michigan, he informed ESPN on Saturday.

“I enjoy the culture Dusty May has given every team that he’s coached,” Lendeborg said. “When I initially started viewing college basketball, it was FAU.”

Lendeborg, the No. 28 possibility in ESPN’s draft projections, will likewise declare for the NBA draft while maintaining his NCAA eligibility. He stated he is committed to first checking out the draft process, with the goal of protecting assurances of a multiyear contract from an NBA team before he would forgo the opportunity to play at Michigan.Editor’s Picks

“I’m focused on the draft process and making the NBA today,” Lendeborg stated. “I desire an ensured agreement. That’s the biggest thing, make sure I remain in a good spot. I would prefer to play college basketball in Ann Arbor than be in and out of the G League on a two-way. I wish to find a safe spot.”

First-round draft options get four-year, rookie-scale contracts in the NBA, while many players chosen in the leading half of the 2nd round likewise sign considerable multiyear assurances. The due date to withdraw from the draft is 10 days after the NBA combine, which will be held from May 11-18 in Chicago. Lendeborg has until May 28 to make his choice on where he will play next season.Lendeborg was one of the

most productive players in college basketball, averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 takes per game while shooting 55% from 2-point variety and 36% from 3. He assisted lead UAB to the NIT quarterfinals and turned into one of just 2 players in Department I history to post 600-plus points, 400-plus rebounds and 150-plus helps in a season, in addition to Larry Bird.He was called Defensive Gamer of the Year and first-team All-AAC in each of the past 2 seasons, regardless of pertaining to UAB with little experience playing arranged basketball.Lendeborg said he played just 11 university high school games as a senior and was essentially required to move across the country to a little junior college in Arizona by his mom after standing apart in an exposure camp for Dominican players in New York. “I was more into games than basketball for most of my life,”Lendeborg informed ESPN. “I would play 19 hours a day; it was a religion for me. I wasn’t the best student. My mama forced me to get on an airplane to Arizona. That was the very best thing that ever took place to me. I went from there to UAB, where Andy Kennedy was a father figure for me. This previous summer season was actually the first time I ever had actually a real arranged exercise strategy. I’m just scratching the surface on the player I can progress into, and with more work I can reach that capacity. “Needs to Lendeborg withdraw from the draft, he will step into deep space left by 7-footer Danny Wolf, a

predicted top-20 draft choice coming off a standout season at Michigan in which he alternated in between playing point player, power forward and center.Lendeborg said Wolf’s success and the heavy usage he saw pressing the ball off the defensive glass and helping with the offense as a pick-and-roll ball handler played a part in his decision-making procedure.” It’s fantastic what Dusty May did with Danny Wolf,”Lendeborg stated.”I would enjoy his games this season and state,’Guy, I wish that was me.’I’m trying to bring the exact same type of adaptability he brought to Michigan. “Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the creator and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal

searching and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international groups.