Michigan basketball received the best news of the offseason on Tuesday morning when UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg announced he will withdraw from the NBA draft and return to Michigan next season. Lendeborg partook in the NBA Draft combine and was looking for a first round guarantee.
Numerous mock drafts had Lendeborg in the first round, and he performed very well at the combine. Whether he didn't get the guarantee he was looking for or simply liked the idea of playing at Michigan and boosting his stock is unknown, but what is known is that Michigan basketball just secured the No. 1 player in the transfer portal.
What Yaxel Lendeborg's commitment means for Michigan basketball
It cannot be understated how important Lendeborg coming to Ann Arbor is for Michigan basketball. The UAB star averaged 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field. With Lendeborg, the Wolverines have a true star to play through. We knew that Michigan was going to be very good in 2025, regardless of whether or not Lendeborg returned, but now, with a potential superstar on the roster, Michigan should be amongst the preseason title favorites.
Dusty May has completely turned this program around. From inheriting a program that finished in last place in the Big Ten and turning them into the Big Ten Tournament Champions, to now building a roster that should be able to compete with anyone in the nation, this is undoubtedly one of the greatest turnarounds in Michigan basketball history.
Michigan fans, be excited. In just year two of his tenure at Michigan, Dusty May has constructed a championship contender. Go blue.