Top Ranked Prospect Updates Michigan Basketball Interest at NBA Combine

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated May 14, 2025 5:31 AM ET

The Michigan Wolverines basketball team secured a tentative pledge from former Alabama-Birmingham Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg recently that has Dusty May and his coaching staff waiting by the phone for updates.

Lendeborg, the United States' top ranked transfer portal prospect, has the talent to be taken in June 25's NBA draft, but he also has a decision to make between staying in college and heading to the league.

Lendeborg has been participating in the NBA's pre-draft combine, which runs through May 18.

The former UAB Blazers star appears to have improved his draft stock in the early going, although he did share information on potentially choosing the Wolverines that turned heads on Tuesday.

Lendeborg ranked among the top 11 shooters at the combine in the early going.

Final best shooters at NBA Combine drills (aggregate of all shots). Mark Sears was scorching.

83%Mark Sears
77% Chaz Lanier
73% Ryan Nembhard
73% PJ Haggerty
72% John Tonje
72% Milos Uzan
72% Cedric Coward
71% Walter Clayton
69%Koby Brea
69%Eric Dixon
69% Yaxel Lendeborg pic.twitter.com/eOABIgtO7E
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025

He added that his decision is "50-50, maybe 60-40" in favor of playing with the Wolverines next season vs. heading to the NBA.

Lendeborg has a chance to round out Michigan's prospective front line this season, which is also expected to include UCLA transfer Aday Mara and Illinois transfer Morez Johnson.

Yaxel Lendeborg says it’s “50-50, maybe 60-40” in favor of Michigan as he weighs his NBA Draft decision.

But the U-M's top portal commit isn’t rushing it.

https://t.co/LA7kSBQ5Wd pic.twitter.com/1TOOYpML7y
— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) May 13, 2025

Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points per game last season with the Blazers for coach Andy Kennedy's team in the American Athletic Conference.

He also snagged 11.4 rebounds per game and dished out over four assists per game while shooting over 52 percent from the field.

Lendeborg would add much needed athleticism and versatility to a Michigan front court that will have to replace projected top 20 draft pick Danny Wolf, who transferred to Michigan from the Yale Bulldogs last season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: