Thu May 29 09:10:00 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary:**
Yaxel Lendeborg, a projected late first-round NBA draft pick, has decided to withdraw from the 2025 NBA draft and will play his final college season at the University of Michigan. Lendeborg, who was highly productive at UAB, feels he can develop further as a player and person at Michigan. He cited the opportunity to work with Coach Dusty May, the Champions Circle collective, and the desire to emulate Danny Wolf’s versatility as factors in his decision. Lendeborg’s unconventional journey to basketball prominence, including a focus on video games early in life and a stint at a junior college, influenced his choice to further refine his skills in college. Michigan’s revamped roster, including other impactful transfers, also played a role.
**Here’s the rewritten news article:**
**Projected First-Round Pick Yaxel Lendeborg Shocks NBA, Chooses Michigan for Final Season**
**ANN ARBOR, MI** – In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA draft landscape, Yaxel Lendeborg, currently projected as a late first-round pick, has announced he will withdraw his name from the 2025 NBA draft and play his final collegiate season at the University of Michigan. The deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA draft and maintain college eligibility is Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The 22-year-old Lendeborg, ranked as the No. 26 prospect in ESPN’s NBA draft projections, confirmed his decision to ESPN on Tuesday, stating, “While it’s been and still is a dream of mine to play in the NBA, I feel the development and growth as a player and a person I will gain at the University of Michigan will be very beneficial.”
Lendeborg, who committed to Coach Dusty May in early April, is coming off a stellar season at UAB where he averaged an impressive 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. He led UAB to the NIT quarterfinals and became one of only two players in Division I history to post 600-plus points, 400-plus rebounds and 150-plus assists in a season, along with Larry Bird. He was named Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-AAC in each of the past two seasons.
His decision is particularly noteworthy given that projected first-round picks rarely forgo the opportunity to enter the NBA draft. Lendeborg, however, has had an unconventional path to basketball stardom. He played only 11 varsity high school games and spent time at a junior college after being more interested in video games early in life.
Lendeborg will fill the void left by Danny Wolf, a projected top-20 draft pick. “It’s amazing what Dusty May did with Danny Wolf,” Lendeborg said. “I would watch his games this season and say, ‘Man, I wish that was me.’ I’m trying to bring the same type of versatility he brought to Michigan.”
Michigan’s roster is undergoing a significant transformation, with the addition of other impact transfers including North Carolina point guard Elliot Cadeau, Illinois big man Morez Johnson, UCLA’s Aday Mara, and McDonald’s All American Trey McKenney.
Lendeborg expressed gratitude to Coach May, the Champions Circle collective, and the NBA teams that allowed him to participate in the pre-draft process. “Go Blue!” he exclaimed, signaling his excitement to join the Wolverines.
First Piper 