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Michigan Basketball: Social Media explodes after Yaxel Lendeborg withdraws from NBA Draft

Originally posted on Michigan Wolverines on SI
By Chris Breiler | Last updated May 27, 2025 11:46 AM ET

The Michigan men's basketball program received huge news on Tuesday, as it was announced that Yaxel Lendeborg was withdrawing from the NBA Draft. Lendeborg, who averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season, was projected as a lottery pick at one point. But after going through the draft process, Lendeborg believes a year in the Big Ten can only help his NBA aspirations. Now, the No. 1 portal player available during the offseason is sticking with Michigan.

For head coach Dusty May, bringing Lendeborg to Ann Arbor is a massive win. Given his level of experience and production at UAB, the general consensus now is that, with Lendeborg in the mix, the Wolverines are one of the early favorites to win it all in 2025-26.

Shortly after the news broke that Lendeborg was going to play another year of college ball in Ann Arbor, fans and analysts reacted on social media.

Michigan locks in a preseason top-10 ranking with Yaxel Lendeborg officially withdrawing from the NBA draft and heading to Ann Arbor. https://t.co/PEgkJevOVZ
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 27, 2025

Huge news for Michigan. I feel like Yaxel Lendeborg has a real shot to be an All-American. Incredible versatility and terrific ball-handler for a forward. Dusty May will do wonders with Yaxel like he did with Danny Wolf. Yaxel is a more consistent scorer, though. https://t.co/z8mh1UFG5b
— Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB) May 27, 2025

Huge news for Michigan and Dusty May with Yaxel Lendeborg withdrawing from the NBA Draft.

The UAB transfer averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 boards and 4.2 assists last season and makes Michigan a legit Big Ten contender.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 27, 2025

I had Lendeborg 15 on my draft board. Big hit for the 2025 draft class. If May utilizes Yaxel’s playmaking similar to Wolf, he could trend lottery in next year’s class https://t.co/AJ2mgdj8Q5
— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) May 27, 2025

Yaxel Lenderborg, a projected first round pick, will withdraw his name from the 2025 NBA draft and spend his final season in college at the University of Michigan, he told me and @DraftExpress. Agents Qais Haider, Ron Shade and Alex Saratsis informed the program Tuesday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 27, 2025

Wow!!!

A lot of people had essentially penciled Yaxel Lendeborg into the NBA Draft.

Immediately becomes a preseason All-American, lifts Michigan to preseason Top 10 status, and gives the Wolverines arguably the best front court in the country. https://t.co/3tzpvVjLSU
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) May 27, 2025

This article first appeared on Michigan Wolverines on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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