Yaxel Lendeborg has emerged as one of college basketball’s most compelling stories this season, leading Michigan to a No. 1 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament after a journey that took him from junior college to the top of the Big Ten.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s Impressive Stats So Far
Lendeborg was born on Sept. 30, 2002, making him 23 years old. The senior forward is one of the older players in college basketball, and his long road to stardom makes his current success all the more remarkable.
Born in Puerto Rico, Lendeborg moved to Ohio at age 2 before his family relocated to Pennsauken Township, N.J., when he was 8. His path to becoming Big Ten Player of the Year was unconventional.
He tried out for his high school basketball team as a freshman and made the squad, but was cut midseason due to poor academic performance. He then missed his sophomore and junior seasons for the same reason.
After two seasons at UAB, Lendeborg transferred to Michigan in April 2025 to play for head coach Dusty May. He initially entered the 2025 NBA Draft process before withdrawing to play his final college season in Ann Arbor.
The decision has paid off. Lendeborg is averaging 14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while leading the Wolverines to a historic season.
Michigan enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region with a 31-3 record. The Wolverines set a Big Ten record with 19 conference wins and became the first team to go undefeated in league road games since Indiana in 1976.
The Wolverines will face the winner of the First Four matchup between UMBC and Howard on Thursday in Buffalo. It marks the fourth time in program history that Michigan has earned a No. 1 seed.
Lendeborg suffered a low ankle sprain during Michigan’s 80-72 loss to Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament championship game. However, he told reporters he expects to be ready for the NCAA Tournament opener.
The 6’9″ forward is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He has shown scouts and evaluators that he can contribute on both ends of the floor.
His journey from playing just 11 high school games to becoming the centerpiece of a national title contender has inspired many. Lendeborg has spoken about wanting to be a role model for those who doubt themselves.
Michigan is riding a six-year streak of Sweet 16 appearances when making the tournament, the longest active run in the country. The Wolverines have not won a national championship since 1989.
With Lendeborg leading the way, Michigan has the talent and experience to make a deep run this March. At 23 years old, the senior forward is playing the best basketball of his life at the perfect time.
