Overview
- In an Associated Press interview, Yaxel Lendeborg said Kentucky offered $7–$9 million to lure him from the transfer portal, a figure he suggested would have made him college basketball’s highest‑paid player.
- Lendeborg said he chose Michigan for long‑term growth under coach Dusty May, and multiple outlets report Michigan’s NIL compensation was materially lower, with estimates ranging roughly from $2–5 million.
- The senior forward was named Big Ten Player of the Year and earned first‑team All‑American honors from the AP, NABC and USBWA heading into the NCAA Tournament.
- He suffered a low‑ankle sprain in the Big Ten title game loss to Purdue but said he didn’t need X‑rays and expects to play, noting he has resumed running though cutting still felt limited earlier in the week.
- Lendeborg averages 14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and about 3 assists for 31‑3 Michigan, which opens the tournament Thursday at 7:10 p.m. ET against Howard as the Midwest Region’s top seed.