Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg Completes Remarkable Journey to National Championship

The Big Ten Player of the Year went from an unknown community college player to a national champion at Michigan.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:41pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic energy and triumph of the Michigan Wolverines winning the NCAA men's basketball national championship, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the various elements of the story.The University of Michigan's first NCAA men's basketball title in 37 years was a triumph built on the improbable journey of star player Yaxel Lendeborg.Yuma Today

Yaxel Lendeborg, a 23-year-old forward for the University of Michigan, completed an improbable journey to winning the NCAA men's basketball national championship. Just five years ago, Lendeborg was an unknown community college player averaging 6.1 points per game. After overcoming academic issues in high school, Lendeborg played at Arizona Western College and UAB before transferring to Michigan, where he earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors and led the Wolverines to their first national title since 1989.

Why it matters

Lendeborg's story is an inspiring example of perseverance and determination. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including his mother's cancer diagnosis, he was able to develop into one of the top collegiate players in the country and help Michigan win its first national championship in over three decades.

The details

Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9 forward, only played 11 games of varsity basketball in high school due to academic issues. He then went on to play three seasons at Arizona Western College, a community college in Yuma, Arizona, before transferring to UAB. After two seasons with the Blazers, Lendeborg decided to join the University of Michigan, turning down a lucrative offer from Kentucky. In his one season with the Wolverines, Lendeborg averaged a team-leading 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, helping Michigan defeat the University of Connecticut 69-63 in the national championship game.

  • Five years ago, Lendeborg was an unknown community college freshman averaging 6.1 points per game.
  • On Monday night, Lendeborg hoisted the trophy for Michigan's first NCAA men's basketball title in 37 years.
  • Lendeborg's mother, Yissel Raposo, is currently being treated for Stage 4 appendix cancer.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

A 23-year-old forward who went from an unknown community college player to the Big Ten Player of the Year and a national champion at the University of Michigan.

Yissel Raposo

Lendeborg's mother, who is currently being treated for Stage 4 appendix cancer and has been a driving inspiration for her son throughout his remarkable journey.

Dusty May

The head coach of the University of Michigan men's basketball team, who praised Lendeborg's journey as 'one of the most unique in the history of our sport.'

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What they’re saying

“His journey is one of the most unique in the history of our sport. It's been special coaching him because he had no idea what he was capable of or how good he is. It all just happened in such a short period of time for him that you couldn't predict this.”

— Dusty May, Michigan Head Coach

“Yaxel never believed in himself growing up. I always talked to him in a positive way, telling him he was talented and he could make it in basketball. I feel so happy and proud that now he knows he is good, too.”

— Yissel Raposo, Lendeborg's Mother

What’s next

Lendeborg is expected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft in June, continuing his remarkable journey to the top of the sport.

The takeaway

Lendeborg's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of a supportive family. Despite facing numerous obstacles, he was able to develop into a star player and lead Michigan to its first national championship in nearly four decades, inspiring others with his determination and resilience.