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Yaxel Lendeborg makes Final Four promise for Michigan basketball

Yaxel Lendeborg explained why he decided to play for Michigan basketball in a recent interview and said he made a promise to get the Wolverines to the Final Four.
ByChris Peterson|
Mar 16, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) is called for an offensive foul against Memphis Tigers guard Baraka Okojie (6) during the first half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Mar 16, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) is called for an offensive foul against Memphis Tigers guard Baraka Okojie (6) during the first half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

If you're a college basketball player, there is nothing better than reaching the Final Four. Outside of reaching the NBA, that's the dream, playing on the biggest stage and having a chance to win the national championship.

Michigan basketball hasn't made the Final Four since 2018. The Wolverines were close last season. They had an eight-point lead on top-seeded Auburn in the Sweet 16 before it all fell apart.

Since then, head coach Dusty May has been assembling a roster capable of reaching the Final Four and winning a national championship.

Yaxel Lendeborg was the key piece to all of that. Morez Johnson and Aday Mara can help the Wolverines replace the dominant Vlad Goldin. Elliot Cadeau was added to the roster to upgrade the playmaking at the point guard position, and other key players such as Nimari Burnett, L.J Cason, Roddy Gayle, and Will Tshcetter were retained.

The incoming freshman class should also make an impact. Michigan basketball needs more 3-point shooting, which is something that Trey McKenney, the five-star combo guard, and Winters Grady, another top-100 freshman can provide.

All the pieces are there, and in an interview on the "Defend the Block" podcast, Yaxel explained why he chose Michigan, and one reason was the chance to reach the Final Four.

"I’m happy to get to that stage. I made a promise, as well, that I want to at least take us to the Final Four. I’m gonna do whatever I can to get us there," Lendeborg said.

Yaxel also said one of the things that drew him to Michigan basketball is the way the Wolverines used Danny Wolf. Lendeborg said he could see himself in that same role this season.

“We pretty much do the same thing. I would say [Wolf is] a better shooter than me. But just coming off the pick-and-roll with a big, it’s always a lot better, because ‘5’ men can’t really move that well. I feel like I move pretty decently for my size, and the first instinct for me is to pass," Lendeborg said. “So coming off a screen, I’m gonna have a lot of shooters around me, I can make that pass to a shooter and probably increase my assist number. That’s always something I’ve wanted to do.

It's going to be fun to watch Michigan basketball with Yaxel. But make no mistake, it's Final Four or bust for the Wolverines in 2025-26.

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