CHICAGO - Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan's star forward, stirred up quite the buzz with his recent comments, though he didn’t anticipate the reaction they’d provoke.
Before the NCAA Tournament kicked off, Lendeborg, the Big Ten Player of the Year, shared with the Associated Press that Kentucky had dangled a hefty $7 to $9 million offer when he entered the transfer portal last offseason. “They were pretty much ready to pay anything to get me there,” Lendeborg revealed.
Despite the lucrative offer, the 6-foot-9 graduate senior chose to join the Wolverines, a decision that’s proven fruitful as Michigan, the No. 1 seed, gears up to face No. 4 Alabama in the Sweet 16. Lendeborg’s claim about Kentucky’s offer turned heads and drew responses, including one from Wildcats head coach Mark Pope.
Pope addressed the media last week before Kentucky’s first-round win over Santa Clara, expressing skepticism about the validity of such reports. “It all blurs together, and we just start reporting what everybody else is reporting, whether it has any validity or not,” Pope remarked. “To (Big Blue Nation), I would just say, please don’t believe everything you read.”
In Chicago on Thursday, Lendeborg expressed his surprise at the controversy. “I didn’t think it was going to be such a big deal,” he told The Athletic. He regretted the spotlight it placed on Pope, saying, “I felt bad because they put a spotlight on Pope because of that.”
Lendeborg’s journey to this point is as intriguing as his current storyline. After starting at Arizona Western Junior College, he spent two standout seasons at UAB, earning first-team All-AAC honors and defensive player accolades. Ranked as the No. 2 transfer player by The Athletic, he was a hot commodity in the portal, though Alabama didn’t pursue him.
“Once I entered the transfer portal out of UAB, I was hoping to get recruited by Alabama. And when I didn’t, it kind of hurt me a little bit,” Lendeborg admitted. “Not in a way where I can say I hate them... it just bothered me a little bit.”
His path to stardom was unconventional. Born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents, he grew up in New Jersey and didn’t pick up basketball until age 15.
His late start didn’t hinder his rise; he developed into a formidable player, averaging 14.7 points and 6.9 rebounds for Michigan this season. His standout performance included a game-high 25 points in the win over Saint Louis.
As Michigan prepares to take on Alabama, Lendeborg has a little extra motivation. Alabama coach Nate Oats acknowledged they made a call but didn’t pursue him deeply. “Probably wasn’t something we were going to be able to do,” Oats said.
Michigan coach Dusty May, who successfully recruited Lendeborg, appreciates his player’s ability to thrive amid these storylines. “I think we’ve had several subplots this year and he seems to be performing well,” May noted. “Whatever irritates him, I’m going to ride with that and support him.”
With the Sweet 16 looming, Lendeborg’s focus is clear: lead Michigan back to the Elite Eight and beyond, fueled by motivation only he truly understands.