It takes an entire team to win a championship. While the Michigan Wolverines are headlined by their All-American forward Yaxel Lendeborg, part of the reason why Dusty May's team is in the Final Four is because of their many great transfer portal pickups. Lendeborg famously came over from UAB this past season. However, CBS Sports only recognized him on its All-Transfer team from this campaign.
Here are the five transfer players CBS Sports' Isaac Trotter had a cut above the rest for 2025-26.
- Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB Blazers)
- Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (Drake Bulldogs)
- Tennessee Volunteers guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Maryland Terrapins)
- Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (San Diego State Aztecs)
- UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia Bulldogs)
No, this is not mean to disparage Trotter's list, but rather looking at a means to augment it. Beyond Lendeborg and his 15.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, there are at least three other Michigan players who deserved some level of recognition from this list. That would be guard Elliot Cadeau, forward Morez Johnson Jr., and center Aday Mara. All four are new to Michigan this season.
Let's look at the cases put forth by Cadeau, Johnson, and Mara before we get to a conclusion here.
Yaxel Lendeborg is not the only elite transfer player that Michigan has
Cadeau's case is easily the flimsiest. He was the other strong transfer portal player along with Lendeborg for the better part of the season. The former UNC product out of West Orange, New Jersey has averaged 10.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game for the Wolverines. No doubt about it, he has been instrumental to Michigan's success. Other guards have been better...
Johnson has a very strong case for himself. Like Lendeborg, he too is an All-Big Ten performer. On the season, the Riverdale, Illinois native has averaged 13.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game since coming over from his home state's Illinois Fighting Illini in the transfer portal. As the season has gone along, Johnson has stepped his game up to the point where Michigan can win it all.
And when it comes to Mara, he is a rather unique case because of his defense. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Not to mention he is averaging 2.6 blocks and 0.3 steals per game on defense. As far as a center is concerned, the Spanish native and former UCLA rotational player has really carved out a strong role with Michigan.
Ultimately, while having Cadeau off the list feels justified, it is hard to not have a place for Johnson. Moreover, if there was going to be any player representing the center position, it would have to be Mara. He may be more of a throwback player in that regard, but he has been undeniably important when it comes to the manner in which Michigan plays basketball. Mara should have made this team.
For now, Michigan will need to turn its undivided attention to the Arizona Wildcats in the Final Four.