Yaxel Lendeborg has had a long journey here.
In high school, he played just 11 games of HS basketball as a senior. He wasn't able to play in his previous 3 years due to academic performance.
Lendeborg then went to Arizona Western, a junior college, in 2020.
Over 3 seasons, he made a name for himself - and finished as the NJCAA's all-time leading rebounder.
In 2023, he transferred to UAB. In his 2 seasons there, he was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year twice.
In his second season, he joined Larry Bird as the only players in NCAA history to record 600 points, 400 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single season.
Yaxel became one of the hottest names in the country, and was ranked the No. 1 player in the transfer portal (via On3).
He transferred to Michigan in 2025, and we know the rest.
He was the Wolverines' leading scorer, named Big Ten Player of the Year, and spearheaded a monster Michigan defense.
Now, Lendeborg is in the national championship game.
After only playing 11 games in HS, to 3 years at a junior college, to now being a stud on one of the best teams in the nation...
Yaxel Lendeborg has earned every bit of this.
Yaxel Lendeborg has had a long journey here.
In high school, he played just 11 games of HS basketball as a senior. He wasn't able to play in his previous 3 years due to academic performance.
Lendeborg then went to Arizona Western, a junior college, in 2020.
Over 3 seasons, he made a name for himself - and finished as the NJCAA's all-time leading rebounder.
In 2023, he transferred to UAB. In his 2 seasons there, he was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year twice.
In his second season, he joined Larry Bird as the only players in NCAA history to record 600 points, 400 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single season.
Yaxel became one of the hottest names in the country, and was ranked the No. 1 player in the transfer portal (via On3).
He transferred to Michigan in 2025, and we know the rest.
He was the Wolverines' leading scorer, named Big Ten Player of the Year, and spearheaded a monster Michigan defense.
Now, Lendeborg is in the national championship game.
After only playing 11 games in HS, to 3 years at a junior college, to now being a stud on one of the best teams in the nation...
Yaxel Lendeborg has earned every bit of this.
