Photo Courtesy of University of Michigan Photography

Yaxel Lendeborg enjoyed Tuesday’s practice with the Michigan basketball team he joined this season after transferring from Alabama-Birmingham.

By Steve Kornacki

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Yaxel Lendeborg grabbed Michigan coach Dusty May’s attention in a big way at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala, on Feb. 8, 2024, when he scored 17 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in a 76-73 overtime win over the Florida Atlantic team May was coaching.

May came to the Wolverines several weeks later and this season landed Lendeborg, who joined Indiana State’s Larry Bird (1978-79) as the only Division I players to ever surpass 600 points, 400 rebounds and 150 assists in a season. The graduate student from Alabama-Birmingham already is being projected as a mid-first round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

“Oh, man, that game was a big game for us,” said Lendeborg, a solid 6-foot-9 and 240 pounder. “Dusty May had been a really good coach, but we had a lot of animosity [as rivals] in that game. I just tried my best to be the best player on the court. The last time I played there, I was getting booed by the fans and it was an emotional game for me. We got beat real bad in that one [78-56 in 2023]. I tried my best not to let that happen again.

“The irony now is I can’t believe this is happening because we used to hate each other (laughter). But I was secretly a big fan [of May]. It’s kind of funny how it worked out.”

Lendeborg said he liked the “father-son type of thing” he’d seen between May and his players, and said he “always wanted to play for that type of coach” who never makes players feel down about themselves. He asked UAB coaches if he could take a photo with May but was told “you’d look stupid” and never asked for a posed shot with his current coach.

“But, secretly,” said Lendeborg, “I wanted to take that picture. I’m super excited to be here. He’s a really good coach telling me all I need to know and more. He’s harping on me a lot – just to make sure he’s holding me accountable, and it’s been great.”

That feeling is mutual with May, who is so glad to now be his coach.

May said, “He was a thorn in our side, and they were one of the better teams in the [American Conference] at the same time we were one of the better teams in the league [reaching the 2023 NCAA Final Four]. We always felt that when we played them it was two of the most talented teams in the league. And Yaxel had some really unique abilities. He can drive it and score in a number of ways, but he could get to loose basketballs. He’s an excellent rebounder. And he got better every year. We felt like his ceiling was extremely high.”

And now May is coaching his old “thorn” and sharing the ceiling at Crisler Center

“Putting him in the environment to play against the size, strength and athleticism of our roster would help him,” May continued. “But, yeah, it’s odd to think he’s playing with us. But I do think he admired the way our guys played the game and how connected we were at FAU. So, there was always a mutual respect from both of us.”

During Tuesday afternoon’s team scrimmage at Crisler, Lendeborg was a rebound magnet who seemed to own loose balls. He hit Roddy Gayle, Jr., with a crisp pass from down low for a three-point swish. He received a pass cruising down the baseline before dropping a two-handed slam dunk.

One of his best plays seemed almost effortless. Aday Mara, the 7-3 UCLA transfer, had position on the right block to rebound a trey from the left corner, but Lendeborg came down with it. And Lendeborg swished three-pointers in practice, too, having made 25 of them with 35.7-percent accuracy last season.

“Yaxel is an older player [who celebrated his 23rd birthday Tuesday] who’s very experienced at playing college basketball,” said May. He was born in Puerto Rico, but his parents of Dominican Republic decent moved to Ohio when he was 2 and eventually to Pennsauken, N.J. He didn’t begin playing basketball seriously until late in his time at Pennsauken High, but got a shot to play junior college ball at Arizona Western before starring at UAB for two seasons.

“We’ve learned a lot about Yaxel that we didn’t know before we signed him,” said May. “He’s already changed his day-to-day routine. For example, [graduate student guard] Nimari Burnett has a really regimented workout routine with the yoga and the stretching. And 90-percent of the days, Yaxel’s been with him, mirroring his pre-practice workout routine.”

Burnett said, “Yax is an extremely chill individual, but also has his fun side as well. We have similar tastes in music, like R&B from 2000, 2002 [like Destiny’s Child with Beyonce]. So, we kind of connected on that. A lot of what we do is similar in our free time. He kind of reminds me of myself a little bit.

“We have a really, really good relationship already.”

Lendeborg said, “Our relationship started out like big brother-little brother. I pretty much learned to live like a pro [from Burnett]. He taught me about yoga and stretching and everything that’s going on. He’s a good role model to look up to who does everything right and plays hard every day. He’s definitely somebody I want to look up to.”

Lendeborg is a quick learner.

May noted, “The one thing about Yaxel is I do know that when the lights are on, he moves better. He’s quicker, faster and more athletic. So, he has another big jump to make. But his versatility…we’re playing him a little different than UAB did. I’ve been impressed. He’s further ahead versus where I thought he’d be at this point.

“He’s as much of a guard as anyone on our roster. And so his versatility is unique. He voluntarily started picking up point guards [for the full length of the court] and done as well as anyone on our roster. Yaxel’s been awesome when we’ve played him at the Stretch 5 [center]. He’s been a playmaker.”

Lendeborg loves the idea of playing any position, but played power forward last year at UAB.

“It might be game-by-game as far as matchups,” said May of how he’ll play Lendeborg.

Lendeborg’s 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists last year were well off Bird’s 28.6, 14.9 and 5.5 in those stats. But they are major college basketball’s lone 600-400-150 players in single-season points, rebounds and assists.

“Ah, man, that stat was incredible,” said Lendeborg, a two-time All-American Conference first team pick and defensive player of the year selection. “The reason that was made was because last season I wasn’t getting as much coverage as the team wanted me to.

“I never was complaining about that, but it was interesting to hear that stat because Larry Bird’s one of the greats. Me, I’ve only played D1 for two years. So, it was incredible to hear. But with the versatility, I just want to be able to help my team however I can, do the best I can. Rebounding and passing are things I love to do. Obviously, I’ve been improving my shooting and defense.

“I want to try to be the best all-around player in college basketball.”

Lendeborg could’ve been a first-rounder in June and currently be on an NBA roster, but said he felt a need to be “maturing even more as a player” before taking that step. He was impressed with what May did with 2025 Brooklyn Nets first-rounder Danny Wolf last year at Michigan, adding “that was a big factor.”

So, what are his goals?

“I want to at least get to the Final Four,” said Lendeborg, who played in the NCAA Tournament last year but didn’t get a win while Michigan reached the Sweet 16. “We deserve it as a program and to do the best for our fans.

“Me, I want to win [Big Ten] player of the year if not defensive player of the year. If I can, I’ll try to be the best defensive player in the nation.”

And he said he will pray for that.

Lendeborg has three crosses – a symbol of Jesus Christ being crucified for believers – tattooed onto his left shoulder.

“I pray before games to let Him know I believe,” said Lendeborg. “And I’m always grateful for what He’s done for me.”

It’s been some journey for a long shot who has become a real big shot.