Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg claps back at 'mercenaries' narrative after beating UConn

For the second time in program history, the Michigan Wolverines are national champions.

Head coach Dusty May built a championship team through several moves in the transfer portal, leading the team to the highest heights in his second year in charge of the program.

Naturally, the fact that most of the starters came through the portal led to some criticism.

That's why, right after the final buzzer, Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg clapped back at the naysayers in a sideline interview with CBS.

Yaxel Lendeborg has one final word for Michigan haters

“They might still be calling us mercenaries, but we’re the hardest playing team in national basketball, we’re the best team in college basketball, and we’re gonna be one of the greats, ever,” Lendeborg said, per Ira Gorawa of The Athletic.

Lendeborg began his collegiate career at UAB before taking his talents to Ann Arbor. Point guard Elliott Cadeau, who had 19 points in the title game, struggled at UNC before flourishing under May's command. Aday Mara was riding the bench at UCLA and then became a pivotal piece for the Wolverines, and so forth.

In total, six of eight rotation players for the Wolverines transferred at one point, with the lone exceptions being redshirt senior forward Will Tschetter and freshman guard Trey McKenney.

College athletics have changed drastically in the NIL and the transfer portal era, for better or worse.

Regardless, programs and coaches have to adapt and adjust. Otherwise, they will be left behind and stuck in past glories.