Who Is Yaxel Lendeborg? Age, Net Worth, Biography & Viral Story Behind the Name

Lead Paragraph Power forward Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 1 prospect in the college basketball transfer portal, announced Tuesday that he is withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft and committing to the Michigan Wolverines, giving first-year head coach Dusty May a marquee addition as he reshapes the roster in Ann Arbor. Why Lendeborg Picked Michigan • Immediate role: May has emphasized positionless, up-tempo basketball, promising Lendeborg featured touches at both forward spots. • Development track record: May helped turn Florida Atlantic’s Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin into NBA-caliber players, a selling point that resonated with the 6-9, 240-pound Dominican-American. • NIL infrastructure: Michigan’s newly formed M-Power collective reportedly crafted an aggressive package to keep the 22-year-old out of the draft this year. Stat-Sheet Star at UAB • 2024-25 averages: 17.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.8 BPG, shooting 37 % from three. • Back-to-back NJCAA All-American at Arizona Western before dominating the American Athletic Conference last season. • Only Division I player to post a 30-point, 20-rebound game in 2025. What the Commitment Means for Michigan Depth Chart Shake-Up 1. Center: Tarris Reed Jr. / Papa Kante 2. Forwards: Yaxel Lendeborg, Will Tschetter 3. Wings: Treasure Hunt, Jaelin Llewellyn The Wolverines, who ranked 272nd nationally in rebounding percentage, instantly shore up the glass and add a proven scorer who can stretch the floor. NBA Draft Implications Scouts projected Lendeborg as a late first- to early second-round pick. By postponing the draft, he’ll aim to slide firmly into the lottery in 2026, mirroring the path taken by former Big Ten standout Keegan Murray. Coach Dusty May’s Reaction “Yaxel is an elite competitor and relentless worker,” May said in a release. “His versatility on both ends fits exactly how we want to play.” Transfer Portal Domino Effect Lendeborg’s decision leaves Kansas, Kentucky and Arkansas scrambling for front-court help. All three programs hosted him on visits but now pivot to Plan B targets such as Oumar Ballo and Trevon Brazile. Key Dates Moving Forward • June 3: Players must formally remove names from NBA Draft list. • June 10-14: Michigan summer workouts begin; Lendeborg expected on campus. • July 27-Aug 4: Wolverines’ exhibition tour in Spain, first chance to see Lendeborg in maize and blue. Quick Facts on Yaxel Lendeborg • Birthplace: Puerto Rico (raised in Pennsauken, NJ) • Height/Weight: 6-9, 240 lb • Wingspan: 7-1 • Vertical leap: 38 inches (NBA Combine) • Social: @Yaxel_Lendeborg on X and Instagram Quote From an NBA Scout “Staying in school is smart—he’ll be the focal point at Michigan, and consistent three-point volume could bump him into surefire first-round territory,” a Central Division scout told Bleacher Report. Bottom Line Yaxel Lendeborg’s surprise shift from the NBA Draft board to Michigan’s frontcourt vaults the Wolverines back into Big Ten contention and sets up one of the most watched draft-stock storylines of the 2025-26 college basketball season.