This is exactly why Michigan basketball wanted Yaxel Lendeborg this past offseason.
Lendeborg, the former UAB star who spurned the NBA to transfer to Ann Arbor, was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday, after he averaged 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in three games at the Players Era Men’s Championship in Las Vegas.
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The Wolverines won the tournament in historic fashion, dominating three previously top-50 KenPom teams in San Diego State (94-54), Auburn (102-72) and Gonzaga (101-61) on three consecutive nights by a combined 110 points.
Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) reacts during the first half in a 2025 Players Era Festival group play game against the Auburn Tigers at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.
Lendeborg had started the year somewhat slowly as he nursed an injury to his shooting hand and got acclimated to a new role in a new system, but has since taken over as the leader. His coach Dusty May joked earlier in the week that he brought Lendeborg in to be a “role” player.
“I think everyone has a role,” May said. “Luca Doncic’s role is to go get triple doubles every night. Kobe Bryant’s role was to lead the Lakers to a championship and do whatever necessary to win…so yes, he has a role on our team.”
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Lendeborg wasn’t being “aggressive enough” early in May’s mind and lost confidence in his shot after missing a few days in practice and nursing an ailing hand. A natural passer, May said Lendeborg is going to be someone who “hunts shots” – which shows as he has nearly as many assists (22) as missed shots (24) this year.
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He’s now averaging 16.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game on 61.3% shooting.
Lendeborg has missed just five shots inside the arc as he leads U-M’s elite inside scoring – May’s group ranks No. 6 in the nation in 2-point shooting (63.6%). May is going to continue to have him lean into his natural instincts, while also making sure the coaching staff continues to implement schemes and sets that put him “in position to attack.”
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“He’s getting better and better as a basketball player,” May said. “And I think that that helps our team morale as well. When your superstar guys are really, really unselfish, so we’re going to encourage him to continue to do that.”
U-M (7-0) next takes the court on Saturday, Dec. 6 against Rutgers (4:00 p.m., Big Ten Network) at Crisler Center.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball’s Yaxel Lendeborg named Big Ten Player of the Week
