Michigan Basketball: Yaxel Lendeborg named to preseason All-Big Ten Team

Expectations are high in Ann Arbor in year two of the Dusty May era, and the program has brought in transfers that make the hype surrounding the program deserved. One of those additions made a mighty splash in the offseason, as the Wolverines brought in UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg in hopes of transforming the frontcourt this season.

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The Lendeborg hype and expectations have now extended into the Big Ten, too.

The conference announced its preseason All-Big Ten Team on Tuesday, with Lendeborg being named to the seven-man team.

Purdue’s Braden Smith has been projected as the Big Ten Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Lendeborg comes to Ann Arbor after an impressive season with the Blazers last year, averaging 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in 37 games played.

With the program’s eyes set towards national expectations, the 2025-26 campaign begins on Friday, Oct. 17, at Crisler Center with the Wolverines taking on Cincinnati in an exhibition game. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on B1G+.

The preseason team is as follows:

Bennett Stirtz, Sr., G, Iowa

Yaxel Lendeborg, Grad., F, Michigan

Nick Martinelli, Sr., F, Northwestern

Bruce Thornton, Sr., G, Ohio State

Nate Bittle, Sr., C, Oregon

Jackson Shelstad, Jr., G, Oregon

Trey Kaufman-Renn, Sr., F, Purdue

BRADEN SMITH, Sr., G, Purdue

Donovan Dent, Sr., G, UCLA

John Blackwell, Jr., G, Wisconsin