Yaxel Lendeborg made his commitment to Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday morning, and he detailed why 7-footer Danny Wolf played a big role in him choosing Michigan:
Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines received huge news on Saturday morning when former University of Alabama Birmingham forward Yaxel Lendeborg committed out of the transfer portal. The 6-foot-9, 240-pounder averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this past season, while shooting 52.2 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three and 75.7 percent from the free throw line.
Lendeborg is the No. 1 ranked player in the portal this cycle and is a monster addition to the Wolverines’ 2025-26 squad…if he stays in college. He is also testing the NBA draft waters, and his final decision may not come for the next couple months with June 15 being the deadline to withdrawal from the draft.
If he returns to the college ranks, it will be at Michigan. And a good reason for that, as he detailed with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony , is because of Danny Wolf being developed into a possible first-round draft pick.
“It’s amazing what Dusty May did with Danny Wolf,” Lendeborg said. “I would watch his games this season and say, ‘Man, I wish that was me.’ I’m trying to bring the same type of versatility he brought to Michigan.”
Lendeborg also noted Wolf being able to be a ball handler in the pick-and-roll, as well as his ability to push the ball off the defensive glass, as reasons for his commitment to Michigan.
“I love the culture Dusty May has brought to every team that he’s coached,” Lendeborg said. “When I first started watching college basketball, it was FAU.”
These are all great things to hear if you’re a Michigan fan, but this is all dependent on him actually playing at Michigan. Lendeborg has made it clear in numerous interviews, including the above one with ESPN, that his top goal is to make it to the NBA. However, he doesn’t want to go to the NBA just to go — he is seeking a guaranteed contract that will keep him from bouncing around from the NBA and the G League.
As of now, Lendeborg is being projected to be selected anywhere from the end of the first round to the end of the second round. The NBA Draft combine — which takes place from May 11-18 — will be pivotal in Lindeborg’s final decision.
If he is to play for May and the Wolverines next season, Lendeborg will likely be deployed in a similar way that Wolf was this past year.
Whether Lendeborg ultimately suits up for Michigan or not, one thing is crystal clear — the influence of May and his development of players like Wolf has left a lasting impression on the recruiting trail for both high schoolers and guys in the transfer portal. The way May has prepared unique, versatile players like Wolf for the NBA has earned Michigan a seat at the table for top players like Lendeborg.