Michigan Wolverines dominate Big Ten awards

The Michigan Wolverines capped off a 29-2 regular season with several major award wins on Tuesday.

Star forward Yaxel Lendeborg was unanimously named the Big Ten Player of the Year, making him the first Michigan player to take home the award since Nik Stauskas in 2013-14.

“He’s outperformed his contract. He’s outperformed all expectations up to this point, but he still has to get better,” head coach Dusty May said. “And we still have one big goal to chase, actually two big goals to chase in the Big Ten Tournament Championship and in the NCAA Tournament.”

May himself was also recognized and was named as the Big Ten Coach of the Year, becoming the first Michigan head coach to win since Juwan Howard in 2020-21.

Center Aday Mara also took home the Defensive Player of the Year Award while joining Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. on the All-Defensive team.

Illinois guard Keaton Wagler was the lone award-winner for the Fighting Illini, winning the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award.