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Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball star Yaxel Lendeborg suggested in a recent interview that he could have cashed in if he chose to play elsewhere.
Lendeborg was among the top players on the transfer portal going into the 2025-26 season when he had to leave the UAB Blazers. He eventually committed to Michigan, but he said he was offered big money to play for the Kentucky Wildcats.
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Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg celebrates the team’s regular season Big Ten Championship by cutting down a piece of net following their win over Michigan State in an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sunday, March 8, 2026 (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
“They started the number at $7 (million) to $9 (million),” he told The Associated Press in a story published Monday night. “They pretty much set off on the route like we’d pay him anything to come here.”
Instead, he chose to play for Dusty May instead of Mark Pope.
“I was raised without it and I went my whole life without it,” Lendeborg said. “Anything would make me super, super happy at the time.
“I thought long term. What if I ruin my career because I chased the money instead of a future? Another big reason I went with Dusty was that he didn’t talk about money at all. It was about making me better and helping me achieve my goals.”
Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) looks to pass as Purdue Boilermakers guard Gicarri Harris (24) defends in the first half during the men’s Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at the United Center on March 15, 2026. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
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Lendeborg emerged as one of the best players in the nation in the 2025-26 season, and his NBA potential also increased.
He is averaging 14.4 points and 7 rebounds per game with the Wolverines. Michigan earned the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Kentucky has the No. 7 seed in the same region.
The Wildcats drew criticism from ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale earlier this month for being unable to perform better with a loaded roster thanks to name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
“I’ll say it right here, I’ve played several Kentucky games, win or lose, $22 million this team [which has been reported] in terms of NIL for their players,” he said. “I think with $22 million they could have put together a better roster than they did. I really do.”
Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) dribbles as Purdue Boilermakers guard CJ Cox (0) defends in the second half during the men’s Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at the United Center on March 15, 2026. (David Banks/Imagn Images)
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Kentucky is 21-13 this season.
