A New Standard Set in Ann Arbor
There is no debate left about who runs the show for the Wolverines right now. Yaxel Lendeborg has taken the fourth spot on Maize n Brew‘s list of the top 25 Michigan men’s basketball players since 1989. This ranking feels right because he carried the team to a national championship in 2026. The list makers called him an elite presence with a personality that spread through the whole squad. He did all of this in just one single season in Ann Arbor. That is a rare feat that few players in history have ever pulled off.
Coach Dusty May made a bold move in the transfer portal. He brought in Lendeborg along with Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara. Then May did something most coaches would fear. He started all three big men at the same time. According to Maize n Brew, this created a size advantage that made Michigan a nightmare for other teams to play. The plan only worked because Lendeborg stepped up his game. He was the number one recruit in the portal coming from UAB. He needed to change how he played to fit this new system.
From Big Man to All-Around Star
Lendeborg was known as a ball-dominant player who liked to post up. He played two seasons in the AAC doing exactly that. But May needed him to handle the ball and shoot from deep. The stats show he had to grow fast. In his time at UAB, Lendeborg attempted just over 100 three-pointers. He made them at a 34.9 percent clip. That is not bad, but the Big Ten demands more from a star. He had to become a true wing and forward who could do it all.
The coaching staff showed patience while he learned. By the time the season concluded, the Wolverines relied on him to manage the point. He guarded all five positions on defense. He also posted up smaller defenders when needed. Maize n Brew reported that he shot 37.while taking 180 shots, he shot 2 percent from beyond the arc. He created looks for his teammates and took over games when it mattered most. This complete skill set is why he finished as the best player on the team.
Memorable Moments and Major Honors
The regular season ended with a 19-1 record. That was the best conference mark in the Big Ten. Lendeborg earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors. This was the first time a Michigan player won that award since Nik Stauskas. Stauskas sits at number six on this same list. Lendeborg also became a consensus First-Team All-American. These awards prove he was among the very best in the entire country.
The Big Ten Tournament provided the biggest highlight of his year. Michigan lost the title game, but Lendeborg had a moment for the ages. He hit a buzzer-beater to beat the Wisconsin Badgers. That win was huge because Wisconsin was the only team to beat Michigan in conference play. Maize n Brew noted that this shot remains one of the most memorable of the entire season. It showed his clutch ability when the pressure was highest.
