If there is one thing Michigan fans are checking daily, it is whether or not Yaxel Lendeborg is going to stay with Michigan this next season or decide to continue with the NBA Draft process. Lendeborg declared for the NBA Draft after his commitment to Michigan, but he still has time to withdraw from the process.
Fans are anxiously awaiting to see Lendeborg's decision, but he continues to just keep toying with everyone. Lendeborg posted something on his Instagram story with a photo of himself holding a National Championship trophy with a caption saying "wishful thinking." Does that mean wishful thinking of a National Championship? Does it mean wishful thinking of playing at Michigan next season?
Yaxel Lendeborg on his IG story: pic.twitter.com/qEBatwZydv
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) May 8, 2025
Lendeborg was invited to the NBA Combine, which is set to take place in just a few days on May 11 and May 12, and intends to participate. In CBS Sports' latest 2025 mock draft, Lendeborg did not end up in the first round, but that doesn't mean he can't get himself there. If Lendeborg proves himself even more in the NBA Combine, he could slip into the first round, which would mean the Wolverines would lose the all-around player.
However, if Lendeborg can't secure a first-round draft promise from a team, then he plans to withdraw from he process and join the Wolverines next season. Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds this past season with UAB, but one more since with a Power Four program could elevate him to the first round of next year's NBA Draft.
Either way, Lendeborg has a big decision to make soon, as the withdrawal date from the NBA Draft process is June 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
For one other Michigan man, though, Danny Wolf, he is earning first-round projections as the 7-foot center is slotted to be taken in the later part of the first round. CBS Sports has Wolf being taken by the Atlanta Hawks after averaging 13.2 points and 9.7 rebounds with Michigan this season.