Michigan's Dusty May expects Yaxel Lendeborg to play in national championship: 'He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA'

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts during the second half of a NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four game against the Arizona Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 91-73. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
Aaron J. Thornton via Getty Images

Michigan men’s basketball head coach Dusty May told reporters that he expects AP first-team All-American Yaxel Lendeborg to play in Monday’s National Championship game against UConn after his MRI came back clean, according to ESPN Pete Thamel.

Dusty May said he expects star forward Yaxel Lendeborg to play against UConn. May said that Lendeborg had an MRI after hurting his knee and ankle against Illinois that came back clean. He said the decision will be up to Lendeborg and the Michigan medical staff.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 5, 2026

Lendeborg twisted his ankle during the opening half, then left for the locker room before rejoining the contest in Michigan’s 91-73 blowout victory over the Arizona Wildcats in the Final Four. Lendeborg finished the game with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 15 minutes.

He was mainly limited to a corner spot-up shooter role, with nine of his points coming from three and him going 3-3 from behind the arc. At 23 years old, Lendeborg is one of the older players in college basketball. May joked that he played even older than his age yesterday after his injury.

"He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA,” May said. "A really good 38-year-old at the YMCA. ”

Lendeborg also told reporters after Saturday’s game that he expects to play.

“I’m playing no matter what,” Lendeborg said, later adding, “Unless I wake up and I get up and fall off my feet, I’m going to be in that game.”

Lendeborg’s comments come after he feared the worse after his ankle injury.

“I definitely felt like I did all this for nothing in the moment,” Lendeborg said. “I definitely had to calm down for a little bit, speak to myself, get out of my thoughts.”


This story will continue to be updated.

Continue reading...