Yaxel Lendeborg needed a miracle to end up at Michigan. Now he’s everything the NBA should want

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 27: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images INDIANAPOLIS — Will Tschetter knew exactly what he was doing as No. 1 seed Michigan prepared to play Alabama in the Sweet 16.

Star forward Yaxel Lendeborg had mentioned at a press conference that he was offended the Crimson Tide didn’t try to recruit him in the transfer portal after a breakout year at in-state UAB. A minor news cycle broke out over the comment, but most people probably missed that Alabama head coach Nate Oats said he did reach out, he just couldn’t afford him. That update didn’t fit Tschetter’s narrative, and he kept delivering his own message before tip-off.

“They didn’t recruit you,” Tschetter said to Lendeborg repeatedly in the pregame locker room. “That’s so messed up. ” Lendeborg came out like a man possessed.

On the Wolverines’ first possession, he initiated the pick-and-roll as a ball handler, turned the corner after a screen from teammate Aday Mara, and drove hard downhill to finish through contact. A few minutes later, he ran off a screen to hit a wing three-pointer set up by point guard Elliot Cadeau. Then he took a pitch from Morez Johnson and hit a three from the top of the key after two dribbles.