The biggest recruiting victory of Dusty May’s coaching career came when Yaxel Lendeborg, last year’s top-ranked transfer, committed to Michigan instead of participating in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Wolverines will enter the 2026 NCAA Tournament with the top seed in the Midwest Region, proving that Michigan’s investment in the Big Ten Player of the Year paid off.
Naturally, Michigan wasn’t the only team interested in hiring Lendeborg, and the Wolverines didn’t even have the best offer. Lendeborg disclosed that Kentucky offered him between €7 and 9 million” to play for them in an interview with The Associated Press this week. Even though the cost of Kentucky’s squad is in the $20 million level, Mark Pope’s team, which does not have a true All-American superstar on the roster, would have found it worth the expenditure.
“They started the number with $7 to 9 (million),” stated Lendeborg. “They were pretty much going off on the route like we’ll pay him anything to get here.”
According to industry sources, Michigan’s estimate for Lendeborg was more in the $5 million range. Athletes can be compensated by colleges through third-party NIL agreements and rev-share.
Lendeborg chose Michigan for May rather than the money.
“I was raised without it and I went my whole life without it,” Lendeborg said. “Anything was going to make me super, super happy at the time. I was thinking long term. What if I mess up my career because I chased the money instead of a future? Another big reason why I went with Dusty was he didn’t talk about money at all. It was all about making me better and helping me achieve my goals.”
Lendeborg’s landing in the portal was Kentucky’s greatest effort, and it could be remembered as a significant “what-if” for Pope. Instead, Kam Williams (Tulane), Jaland Lowe (Pitt), Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama), Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), and Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State) committed to the Wildcats.
Only 11 games were played by Lowe and Quaintance, two of the most well-known players from that transfer portal grab. Before having shoulder surgery that ended his season, Lowe participated in nine games. Due to ongoing swelling in his surgically repaired knee, Quaintance has only played in two games this season and has no estimated time of return.
Lendeborg, meantime, has contributed to the Wolverines’ 31-3 record this season by averaging 14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Lendeborg is well on his way to being selected in the lottery this summer, as he is ranked No. 11 in CBS Sports’ NBA Draft rankings.
With Lendeborg, Michigan secured the top seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. On Thursday, they will play either No. 16 seed Howard or No. 16 seed UMBC in the opening round.
