ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg is making the rounds ahead of the NBA draft, working out for nine teams as he transitions from a standout college career to the professional ranks.
Lendeborg said his pre-draft schedule has included sessions with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, and, most recently, the Golden State Warriors.
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Upcoming workouts with the Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks will round out his tour.
“It’s fun being able to compete with such high-level guys,” said Lendeborg. “I try not to keep the hatred that I had for those guys I played against during the season, but it’s really nice being able to switch it and learn about those other guys and just go out there and compete.”
Lendeborg said the workouts have settled into a daily routine as he works through the draft process, one that has put him back on the court with players he once faced in college competition.
“It’s very, very nice,” Lendeborg said.
Learning from the league’s best
The 6-foot-9 forward said his time with Golden State gave him the chance to learn from experienced NBA veterans like Steph Curry.
“Just a lot of learning,” Lendeborg said. “He’s won many rings. He’s been in many tough situations where he has to step up his game. It would be a very good bet to have by your side.”
From national title to draft floor
Lendeborg’s pre-draft journey follows a memorable season at Michigan, where he earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors and helped the Wolverines capture their first national championship since 1989, including a rivalry sweep of potential teammate Draymond Green’s Michigan State Spartans.
He acknowledged the emotional weight of shifting gears so quickly from a title celebration to draft preparation, reflecting on an injury setback in the Final Four against the Arizona Wildcats that added perspective to the championship moment.
“When it happened, I went into the tent, and I was crying for five to 10 minutes,” Lendeborg said. “It was very emotional.”
Even weeks removed from the title, Lendeborg said the accomplishment still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“We didn’t really milk it like I’ve seen many people do,” Lendeborg said. “But it was very fun. We had a lot of good conversations about the season.”
He said the team’s full celebration may be on hold until a future ring-and-banner ceremony next season.
“I think that’s when we’ll truly get to celebrate it,” Lendeborg said.
For now, Lendeborg said his attention is locked on completing his pre-draft schedule and taking the next step in his basketball career.