US EditionYaxel Lendeborg tells AP Kentucky offered him $7 to 9 million before he chose Michigan
Lendeborg prioritized team culture and family support over a $7 million-plus offer from Kentucky, becoming Michigan's Big Ten Player of the Year this season.
- Yaxel Lendeborg chose Michigan over Kentucky despite reported offers starting at $7 to 9 million, becoming the top transfer portal prospect last year to prioritize culture over cash.
- Dusty May emphasized culture when recruiting; Lendeborg said the Michigan coach 'didn't talk about money at all,' contrasting with Kentucky's aggressive financial approach to the transfer portal.
- Named Big Ten Player of the Year, Lendeborg averages a team-high 14.6 points with 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists as Michigan enters the NCAA Tournament as a one-seed.
- His earnings have allowed him to pay his mother's bills and buy her a new ride, though Yissel Raposo continues appendix cancer treatment with three more chemo sets remaining.
- The transfer portal enabled Lendeborg's rise from junior college through a mid-major stop to Big Ten stardom, illustrating how the mechanism rapidly reshapes college basketball trajectories and player compensation.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Michigan Basketball Transfer Claims To Have Taken 50% Pay Cut To Reject Desperate Kentucky
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan Wolverines Yaxel Lendeborg has been one of the most impactful transfers in college basketball this season. The Michigan forward has helped the Wolverines secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The veteran recently spoke on that transfer decision with the Associated Press. He claims to have accepted a major pay cut to play in Ann Arbor. Lendeborg was one of the most sought-after players on the market this offseason.…
Associated Press News
Yaxel Lendeborg tells AP Kentucky offered him $7 to 9 million before he chose Michigan
Yaxel Lendeborg says Kentucky offered him $7 to $9 million before he chose to play at Michigan for about one-third of the compensation.
Star big man declined at least $7 million from another school to join Michigan
Jan 6, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May looks on from the bench during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images Michigan Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg has become a superstar in his first season in Ann Arbor. Lendeborg spent time at Arizona Western before going to UAB. Then, he transferred to Michigan and just won…
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