NBA Comparison: OG Anunoby / Maurice Taylor

Strengths: Lendeborg is a highly unique, modern frontcourt prospect who combines production, versatility, and feel at an elite level … Measured around 6’8.5” barefoot with a massive 7’4” wingspan, giving him outstanding length and functional size despite being slightly undersized for a traditional big … One of the most well-rounded players in the country during the 2025–26 season at Michigan, averaging 14.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks while helping lead a 1-seed and a Final Four run … More of a face-the-basket, stretch four type offensively, with the ability to space the floor and operate away from the rim … Took a major leap as a perimeter shooter, converting 37.4% from three on high volume (61-163), more than doubling his attempts from the previous season and showing legitimate floor-spacing ability … Excellent free throw shooter (82.8%) with touch that supports long-term shooting translation … Shows the ability to step into pull-up jumpers out to the three-point line, adding another layer to his offensive versatility … Functions as a high-level decision maker from the elbows, short roll, and in transition, consistently making the right read and keeping the offense connected … Strong 3.3 to 1.1 assist-to-turnover ratio reflects his poise, vision, and unselfish approach … Comfortable grabbing rebounds and initiating the break, adding value as a grab-and-go playmaker … When he builds momentum in the open floor, he shows more explosiveness than expected, finishing with runaway, freight-train style dunks that flash his athletic upside … Plays with a high level of toughness and competitiveness, willing to do the dirty work and battle inside … Considering how late he came to the game, his feel stands out as natural and instinctive, showing advanced processing and awareness … Defensively, he brings strong instincts, anticipation, and timing, using his length to disrupt passing lanes and provide weak-side rim protection … Not an elite leaper but a very effective rebounder due to positioning, effort, and motor … Impacts the game without needing touches and embraces a team-first role … Has produced at every level he’s played, from JUCO to the AAC to the Big Ten, showing steady progression and adaptability … Despite his advanced age, there is still developmental upside remaining, evidenced by the significant improvement in his perimeter shooting and overall offensive polish … Versatile skill set allows him to fill multiple roles within structured systems as a connector, facilitator, and two-way contributor

Weaknesses: Older prospect who will be 24 before playing in the NBA, which may limit perceived upside compared to younger lottery candidates … Still relatively new to the game, having only played organized basketball for about five years, and can show occasional lapses in consistency and focus … Tends to play at a more methodical pace and will need to keep his motor consistently revved, continuing to move and stay engaged possession to possession … Foot speed is solid but not elite, which may create challenges when switching onto quicker perimeter players … Doesn’t consistently create offense for others in a dynamic way, with most of his playmaking coming within structure rather than breaking down defenses … Very left-hand dominant, which can make his drives and finishing more predictable against disciplined defenders … While productive, he isn’t a natural go-to scorer and lacks advanced shot creation ability … Offensive game is more complementary than primary, relying on reads, movement, and team structure … Not a true rim protector despite solid block numbers, relying more on anticipation than vertical presence … Jumper has improved significantly, but the release can be slightly deliberate and will need to hold up against faster closeouts … At times can defer too much rather than assert himself offensively, which ties into overall consistency questions

Outlook: Lendeborg has emerged as one of the more intriguing risers in the 2026 draft cycle after a standout season at Michigan, where he translated strong production to a high-major, winning environment … A former JUCO standout who steadily climbed the ladder through UAB and into the Big Ten, his development curve and adaptability stand out … His combination of size, length, feel, and versatility fits the mold of a modern NBA frontcourt connector who can impact winning without dominating usage … The improved perimeter shooting and strong free throw numbers are key indicators that his offensive game is trending in the right direction … There are some questions surrounding the full body of work, including consistency over time and the fact that much of his breakout came at an older age against competition often several years younger … That dynamic can create some evaluation risk if he is selected too high relative to his long-term upside … While his polish, IQ, and versatility give him a relatively high floor, teams will weigh how much additional development is still ahead … Projects in the 10–20 range, offering value as a plug-and-play rotation piece with the potential to grow into a starting role in the right system

Notes: Yaxel Lendeborg measured 6′ 8.75” barefoot, 241.4 lbs, 7′ 3.25” wingspan, 9′ 0.50” standing reach, 25.5 no step vertical, and 32.0 max vertical at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. … Measured 6’8.5” barefoot, 234.6 lbs with a 7’4” wingspan and 9’0.5” standing reach at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine … Posted a 25.5” no-step vertical and 31.5” max vertical … Born September 30, 2002, in Puerto Rico, raised in New Jersey … Turns 24 before playing in the NBA … Despite his late start, he played only 11 games of high school basketball before moving to the junior college level at Arizona Western … JUCO All-American at Arizona Western before transferring to UAB, where he became a two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-AAC selection … Transferred to Michigan and won Big Ten Player of the Year (2026), leading the Wolverines to a 1-seed and a Final Four run … In 2025–26, averaged 14.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks on 52.0% FG, 37.4% 3PT, and 82.8% FT … Previously posted 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists at UAB in 2024–25, becoming one of the most productive players in the country … Pronunciation: “Yax-ul Len-deh-borg” … Late bloomer with a unique developmental path and one of the most versatile statistical profiles in the class

Aran Smith 3/29/26

Strengths: A late bloomer with a unique skill set, Lendeborg is one of the most productive and versatile frontcourt prospects in the 2025 draft class … At 6’9” with a reported 7’3” wingspan, he blends rebounding, playmaking, and defensive feel in ways few modern forwards can … Averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game over 37 games as a senior at UAB, showcasing elite statistical output and consistent two-way impact … A highly intelligent decision-maker, especially from the high post and short roll, where his vision allows him to find cutters and spot-up shooters with precision … Carries a strong 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio (4.2 to 2.2), highlighting his basketball IQ and team-first mentality … Defensively, he’s fundamentally sound—using length and anticipation to rotate, contest, and disrupt without fouling … Rarely out of position, thriving in help-side or drop coverage schemes … Offensively, he finishes well around the basket and shot an efficient 52.2% from the field … Also flashed real promise as a floor spacer, knocking down 35.7% from three and 75.7% from the free throw line … Can grab a rebound and push the ball in transition or make the right read to ignite fast breaks … A high-motor competitor who wins rebounding battles through positioning, effort, and timing rather than elite athleticism … Vocal leader and reliable glue guy who positively impacts multiple areas of the game without needing the ball to be effective

Weaknesses: Lacks elite burst and vertical explosion, which limits his ability to finish through or over NBA-level rim protectors and caps his upside as a shot-blocker … Doesn’t project as a switchable big and can struggle defending in space due to average lateral movement and recovery speed … May be exposed against quicker forwards or in defensive schemes that require hard hedges and frequent switches … Not a primary rim protector and likely needs to be paired with a more athletic interior presence to anchor a defense … While his perimeter shot has improved, it features a slower, deliberate release that could be challenged by quicker closeouts at the next level … Doesn’t offer much self-creation and struggles to generate offense in isolation or when forced to create off the bounce … Unlikely to command defensive attention or draw help consistently … Best suited in structured, system-based roles that maximize his feel, positioning, and off-ball instincts …

Outlook: A former JUCO All-American who transitioned smoothly to Division I, earning First Team All-AAC and AAC Defensive Player of the Year … Lendeborg projects as a high-IQ forward who can fill a valuable rotation role at the next level … His feel for the game, rebounding motor, and playmaking ability give him strong appeal as a connector and team-oriented big … Fits best as a modern four or small-ball five who can facilitate from the elbow, rebound, and defend within a scheme … If his lateral agility and shooting consistency continue to trend upward, he has a path toward becoming a long-term contributor for a playoff-caliber team … In a class light on two-way glue guys with real production, Lendeborg offers a mature, plug-and-play option … He has committed to transfer to Michigan for the 2024–25 season if he does not secure a first-round NBA promise, giving him a strong fallback should he opt to return to school …

Notes: Yaxel Lendeborg measured 6′ 8.50” barefoot, 234.6 lbs, 7′ 4.00” wingspan, 9′ 0.50” standing reach with a 25.5 no step vertical and 31.5 maximum vertical at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. … Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Pennsauken, New Jersey … Began playing organized basketball at 15 after encouragement from his mother … Unique skill set and unique journey to his professional career … Played just 11 games of varsity high school basketball before earning JUCO All-American honors at Arizona Western College … Transferred to UAB for the 2023–24 season … Measured with a 7’3” wingspan … Shot 52.2% FG, 35.7% 3PT, and 75.7% FT as a junior … Named First Team All-AAC and AAC Defensive Player of the Year …

Aran Smith 4/14/25