Yaxel Lendeborg's Recruiting Class Features NBA Stars

Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes headline players from Lendeborg's 2020 recruiting class who are now in the NBA

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:10am

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting the action of a college basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into geometric shapes and planes of color against a fading background.Lendeborg's unorthodox path to Michigan stands in contrast to the blue-chip prospects in his recruiting class who have already become NBA stars.Ann Arbor Today

Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg is in his first and only season of college basketball, but his 2020 recruiting class included several players who have already been in the NBA for five seasons. Names like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Scottie Barnes were all part of Lendeborg's class, though his path to Michigan was much different than the blue-chip prospects.

Why it matters

Lendeborg's journey to Michigan is unique compared to the other top players in his recruiting class, many of whom have already established themselves as NBA stars. Despite the academic issues that limited his high school career, Lendeborg has emerged as a key player for the Wolverines and has them in contention for a national championship in his final collegiate season.

The details

Lendeborg finished high school in 2020 but didn't generate Division I offers due to academic eligibility issues, instead committing to junior college Arizona Western. Meanwhile, players like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Scottie Barnes were part of Lendeborg's recruiting class and have already become NBA All-Stars after one-and-done college careers. Lendeborg later transferred to UAB and then Michigan, where he has only impressed against high-level competition in his final season.

  • Lendeborg graduated high school in 2020.
  • Lendeborg started at Arizona Western junior college in 2020.
  • Lendeborg transferred to UAB in 2022.
  • Lendeborg transferred to Michigan in 2024.
  • Lendeborg will turn 24 in September 2025.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

A sixth-year senior at Michigan who had a unique path to the Division I level, starting at junior college before transferring to UAB and then Michigan.

Cade Cunningham

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cunningham is an All-Star with the Detroit Pistons and has already signed a second NBA contract.

Evan Mobley

An All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mobley is finishing up his fifth NBA season after being selected in the 2021 draft.

Scottie Barnes

The 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year, Barnes is an All-Star with the Toronto Raptors and has received a lucrative contract extension.

Jalen Suggs

The former Gonzaga star hit one of the most iconic shots in NCAA Tournament history and is now a solid all-around guard with the Orlando Magic.

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What’s next

Lendeborg and Michigan will look to make a deep NCAA Tournament run and potentially win a national championship in his final collegiate season.

The takeaway

Lendeborg's unique path to Michigan, starting at junior college and transferring twice, has put him on a different timeline than the blue-chip prospects in his recruiting class who have already become NBA stars. But his perseverance and development could pay off with a national title in his final season.