Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg says it 'would be amazing' to stick with Dusty May in Dallas

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Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg (23) celebrates after defeating Tennessee in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Chicago. (Erin Hooley/AP)


It appears a Michigan standout is open to following head coach Dusty May as he makes his NBA move.

With May expected to take over as the Dallas Mavericks' head coach, Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg was asked if he has thought about the possibility of rejoining his college head coach in Dallas. Lendeborg is one of a few key Michigan players hoping to hear his name called early in this year's NBA draft.

"I'm going to tell him he better pick me up. If he doesn't, I'm going to be mad. I might block him," Lendeborg told Chancellor Johnson on Monday. "It would be amazing being able to stick with him. I know me, Morez [Johnson Jr.], Aday [Mara], we talked about it. We're all going to be happy for him regardless. If we all get an opportunity to play there, it would be awesome.

"Maybe he can snag Roddy [Gayle Jr.] and Nimari [Burnett] as well and just have the whole Michigan starting lineup again. I'm just super happy for him and I'm proud that he got what he wanted."

Yaxel Lendeborg said he fell down to his knees when he saw the Dusty May news.

I asked him about his chances of joining his college coach in the pros:

“I’m going to tell him he better pick me up, if he doesn’t I’m going to block him.. It would be amazing to stick with him.” https://t.co/LK6twueM61pic.twitter.com/aiXPpiypOL

— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) June 22, 2026

As of Monday night, the Mavericks hold the ninth and 30th overall picks in the NBA draft's first round. They would likely have to use a lottery selection if they want to select Lendeborg, who averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 51.5% from the floor and 37.2% from 3 during the 2025-26 season.

Lendeborg, a 6-9 forward, will turn 24 before the 2026-27 NBA season begins. He could be the most NBA-ready of Michigan's draft prospects.

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