Michigan Star Lendeborg's Improbable Rise from Mid-Major Roots

The Wolverines' do-everything forward overcame academic struggles and a JUCO start to reach the Final Four.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the various stages of Yaxel Lendeborg's basketball journey, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors representing his progression from obscurity to national prominence.Lendeborg's improbable path from academic struggles to Final Four stardom is a testament to perseverance and the power of mid-major programs to develop elite talent.Yuma Today

Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan's 6-foot-9 superstar forward, took an unlikely path to stardom. After barely playing varsity basketball in high school due to academic issues, Lendeborg found success at JUCO Arizona Western College before transferring to UAB and then Michigan, where he has led the Wolverines to the 2026 Final Four.

Why it matters

Lendeborg's journey from obscurity to national prominence highlights the potential of players from non-traditional backgrounds to reach the highest levels of college basketball. His story also showcases the important role that mid-major and JUCO programs can play in developing talent.

The details

Lendeborg, who is Dominican, moved frequently as a child, living in Puerto Rico, Cincinnati, and Pennsauken, New Jersey before high school. Academic problems led to him playing just 11 varsity games in high school, but he caught the eye of Arizona Western College, where he blossomed into a NJCAA All-American. After a brief commitment to St. John's, Lendeborg landed at UAB, where he earned AAC Defensive Player of the Year and Tournament MVP honors. He then transferred to Michigan, where he has continued his dominant play, leading the Wolverines to the Final Four.

  • Lendeborg played just 11 varsity games in high school due to academic issues.
  • In 2020, Lendeborg began his college career at JUCO Arizona Western College.
  • Lendeborg committed to St. John's in 2022 but later decommitted after the coaching change.
  • Lendeborg transferred to UAB for the 2023-24 season, earning AAC honors.
  • Lendeborg joined Michigan for the 2024-25 season and has led the Wolverines to the 2026 Final Four.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

A 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward who has overcome academic struggles and a JUCO start to become a superstar at Michigan.

Kyle Isaacs

Former assistant coach at Arizona Western College who first recruited Lendeborg to the JUCO program.

Andy Kennedy

Head coach at UAB who convinced Lendeborg to join the Blazers after he decommitted from St. John's.

Rick Pitino

Head coach at St. John's who took over the program after Lendeborg initially committed there.

Mike Anderson

Former head coach at St. John's who Lendeborg initially committed to play for.

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What they’re saying

“We [at Arizona Western] got a text message [in November] from a good friend of ours saying 'hey, here's a 6-foot-8 kid.' We had an additional scholarship available. I think [Lendeborg] maybe had 60 seconds of clips, and it was just, yeah, we need a kid with size.”

— Kyle Isaacs, Former Assistant Coach, Arizona Western College

“[Winning the AAC Tournament] was the culmination of all his dreams and hard work. The way he performed throughout the course of that first year, that gave him the confidence. You could see each and every game, each and every week... [Lendeborg] took on more responsibility [and started] to have internal belief, which was the goal.”

— Andy Kennedy, Head Coach, UAB

“I saw him score 30 points, grab 20 rebounds, and block multiple shots in a conference tournament game. I always knew what he was capable of.”

— Andy Kennedy, Head Coach, UAB

What’s next

Lendeborg will look to lead Michigan to its first national championship since 1989 when the Wolverines face off against Arizona in the Final Four on Saturday.

The takeaway

Lendeborg's remarkable rise from academic struggles and a JUCO start to stardom at the highest levels of college basketball is an inspiring story that showcases the potential of players from non-traditional backgrounds and the important role that mid-major and JUCO programs can play in developing talent.