Why Michigan transfer should put NBA dream ahead of CBB

Yaxel Lendeborg. Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Why Michigan transfer should put NBA dream ahead of playing for Wolverines

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated May 15, 2025 9:49 PM ET

Michigan transfer forward Yaxel Lendeborg is in a tough spot.

He played for UAB for the past two seasons and was a star for the Blazers. Last season, he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

Lendeborg hit the transfer portal and wound up with Dusty May at Michigan, where he has a chance to grow his star power even more. However, Lendeborg also entered his name into the 2025 NBA Draft, and playing in the league has always been the goal.

He could stay at Michigan and try to become a nationally known star, or he can hit the league now and start making his professional dreams come true. As of now, he doesn't seem to know what to do.

"I’m pretty even," Lendeborg told ESPN's Jeff Borzello regarding the decision to play for Michigan or stay in the NBA Draft. "I love Michigan, I love the idea of going over there and developing. But the NBA is what everybody wants. I’m dead in the middle now. It’s hard."

Michigan commit Yaxel Lendeborg clarified he's 50/50 on stay-or-go decision.

“I’m pretty even. I love Michigan, I love the idea of going over there and developing. But the NBA is what everybody wants. I’m dead in the middle now. It’s hard.”

Says he wants to be a top-20 pick. pic.twitter.com/ZHWdqm8Msd
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 14, 2025

Lendeborg told Borzello that he wants to be a top-20 draft pick, so one would imagine that if he gets that feedback at the NBA Combine, he'll likely end up staying in.

In April, Jonathan Givony of ESPN ranked him as the No. 27 player in the 2025 NBA Draft class, so he appears to be right on the border of his goal. However, the unknown of going back to play one more season in college can be a dangerous idea for a prospect like Lendeborg. If he gets hurt or doesn't perform well against Big Ten competition, he could tank his draft stock for 2026.

He could, of course, improve his draft stock if he shows out at Michigan, but is the risk of potentially getting injured worth it, when he's right on the cusp of chasing his NBA dreams?

There's no guarantee either way, but he does seem to be at least a first-round pick in 2025. That type of opportunity may not come around again.

The financial implications of remaining at Michigan may also be at play. On3's NIL valuation for Lendeborg is $2.3M. Spotrac's contract valuation for the No. 27 draft pick is $14.38M in total and $2.8M for the rookie season. There is a valuable incentive for Lendeborg to enter the NBA.

Lendeborg would be wise to put his NBA dreams ahead of the idea of playing for Michigan.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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