With the 2025 NBA Draft in the books, what is there left to do but look ahead to the 2026 NBA Draft?! That’s exactly what ESPN did, with 3 Michigan Wolverines making its way-too-early 2026 NBA Draft Big Board:
As the dust settles on the 2025 NBA Draft , some in the media have already turned the page to 2026 — and Michigan fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about their projections.
In ESPN’s latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft , the duo went as far as to name three Wolverines among the top 35 available prospects — strong reassurance that the team won’t miss a beat in the arena of developing talent under second-year head coach Dusty May.
Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 14 overall)
The most prominent name on the board is none other than Yaxel Lendeborg, who ranks No. 14 overall. Lendeborg arrives in Ann Arbor after a breakout season at UAB, where he was a versatile playmaker on both sides of the ball. He tested the NBA waters this spring but ultimately withdrew from the draft, a decision that could pay off in a big way.
Lendeborg has the opportunity to step into a major frontcourt role after Michigan lost first-rounder Danny Wolf and NBA hopeful Vlad Goldin. If he builds on the flashes he showed at the NBA Draft Combine and anchors Michigan’s frontcourt on both ends, Lendeborg could cement himself as a first-rounder by next June.
Aday Mara (No. 22 overall)
Slotted at No. 22, center Aday Mara is another Wolverine to keep an eye on. The 7-footer from Spain transferred to Michigan after one season at UCLA and has the kind of size, passing touch and feel for the game that NBA scouts are always watching.
While Mara’s offensive skillset has long drawn praise, questions about his mobility and defense have kept him from rising higher in draft discussions. That said, with more opportunity to shine at Michigan, Mara could see his stock rise significantly throughout the 2025–26 season.
Morez Johnson Jr. (No. 33 overall)
Rounding out the trio of Michigan inclusions is Morez Johnson Jr. A former top-50 recruit, Johnson showed promise as a freshman at Illinois and could be poised for a leap in his second college season.
A physical, hard-nosed forward with rebounding instincts and defensive upside, Johnson’s development as a shooter and offensive playmaker will be huge factors for his NBA trajectory. If he takes that next step, he could quickly move from a second-round projection to the first round.
Having three draftable players on ESPN’s radar heading into the season puts the Wolverines in elite company. It also shows that Michigan basketball is still a destination for NBA-caliber talent and player development under his leadership. And if all goes well, Michigan could very well hear multiple names called in the 2026 NBA Draft.