Michigan fans are still stunned by the news of head basketball coach Dusty May leaving Ann Arbor in the dust and heading to the NBA. May is set to take the head coach position with the Dallas Mavericks, taking on an NBA franchise the day before the 2026 NBA Draft.
That is a lot for a brand-new NBA coach to handle, but May has proven he can take on a lot in a short amount of time. The now former Michigan head coach was able to take a Michigan program down in the dumps to a National Championship-winning program in just two seasons.
With the NBA Draft taking place tonight and May having three former players planning to see their dreams come true, he will now be extra busy as a new NBA coach and former college coach. One of his former players, Yaxel Lendeborg, was quick to make an interested NBA Draft pitch to his former coach after hearing the news of his new job.
"I'm gonna tell him he better pick me up, if he doesn't, I am gonna be mad and I'm gonna block," Lendeborg said. "It would be amazing to be able to stick with him."
Yaxel Lendeborg said he fell to his knees when he heard that Dusty May was becoming the new Mavericks head coach 💀
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) June 22, 2026
“He better pick me up” pic.twitter.com/NBYaAAyEfQ
Yaxel Lendeborg realistically could end up back with Dusty May in Dallas
The NBA Draft is officially hours away, and after a long wait, what could be one of the most talented draft classes is about to see where they will land in the pros. Michigan is set to potentially make history tonight with three non-freshmen going in the first round, but also potentially as lottery picks.
Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., and Lendeborg could all be taken in the Top 15, and with May now in Dallas, he could see a familiar face on his team. The Mavericks have the No. 9 pick in the draft, and with May now leading the charge, he could choose to bring a Michigan man down south with him.
Lendeborg was having some fun with his comments earlier, but in all honesty, a reunion with May isn't the craziest thing that could happen. Now, with the hire being so new, May may not have much of a say in the first selection for the Mavericks, but if he did have any say, Lendeborg would be an intriguing option.
The former Michigan leading scorer is clearly a dynamic player who has proven he can play both ways at an elite level. His age is ot ideal when looking at this draft class as a whole and how young it is, but Lendeborg feeding Cooper Flagg in the post sounds like a good combination.
The Mavericks have talked about moving back in the draft, which would mean Lendeborg would most likely be there for the taking. Even though Michigan fans are sad to see May go to the NBA, the thought of him teaming up with the biggest recruit he brought to Michigan would be quite the sight.
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