Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg motivated by Alabama's lack of recruitment in transfer portal
Yaxel Lendeborg was disappointed Alabama did not recruit him out of UAB. Now he faces them in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
CHICAGO, IL. — Yaxel Lendeborg will have a little extra motivation against Alabama in the Sweet 16. Lendeborg played for the University of Alabama-Birmingham for two years in 2023-24 and 2024-25 before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal at the conclusion of last season.
When he entered, he had hoped to stay in-state to play for Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide. Eventually, he settled on Michigan. REQUIRED READING: Don't cry for Cinderella.
Nebraska, John Calipari, Duke can save March Madness "When 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. Not in a way that I can say 'I hate them.
' It just bothered me a little. " Unfortunately for Lendeborg (or fortunately, depending on whether you root for Michigan or Alabama), the call from Alabama never came, so he eventually picked Dusty May and the Wolverines. Now the two programs will square off on Friday, March 26, in the Sweet 16 from the United Center.