INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Yaxel Lendeborg became a Wolverine last spring, but on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, as Michigan defeated Arizona in the 2026 Final Four of the NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness Tournament, 91-73, the Dominican-American appeared to have the heart of a lion.
After taking a rough fall while attempting to complete a two-point bucket in the paint which he was fouled on with nine minutes to go in the first half, Lendeborg, banking two quick free throws, left the game, went into the blue medical tent and then headed off towards the locker room.
The graduate forward, named the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year last month, had compiled five points across five minutes of play before the fall to pair with one rebound and a steal.
And at that point of the contest, a Final Four with over 70,000 in attendance and millions tuned in from home, Michigan was up 28-14, but saw their lead get cut to five within the next two minutes.
So the drama was building up minute by minute. All while the Wolverines’ star player was limping back to the locker room.
“I started crying,” Lendeborg said of his emotions hitting him all at once. “I tried to hold it back as long as I could because of how much work I put into to get to this stage, and I was super happy to be here. I definitely was worried for the rest of the season and these two games.”
Without Lendeborg, Michigan was able to roll at their own pace for the remainder of the first half, carrying a 48-32 advantage into the locker room. This 16 point advantage came on the scoring contributions of juniors Aday Mara and Elliot Cadeau, sophomore Morez Johnson Jr., and freshman Trey McKenney.
“We didn’t really get a lot of time to talk to him,” said Cadeau of Lendeborg’s injury and the scene at halftime in Michigan’s locker room. “We were on the court (then the locker room) at halftime and he was getting treatment. But we know what type of guy Yaxel is. If he can play, he’s going to play.”
Despite that 16 point cushion, Michigan head coach Dusty May did not feel comfortable out of the half, especially when you factor in what the world of College Hoops witnessed last Sunday with Duke vs. UConn in the Elite Eight and the Huskies overcoming a 19 point deficit.
With that in mind and the heart of a lion appearing out of Lendeborg, the six-nine and 240 pound Wolverine checked back into the game as the second half began, draining back-to-back three pointers in the first five minutes.
Back-to-back threes during a stretch where Lendeborg was clearly not at 100%, or even 75% if we’re being honest.
“I think it just shows the guy who Yaxel is,” noted McKenney. “I mean, he just wants to put it all on the floor for Michigan, and he wants to give the fans what they came here for. I’m just really grateful to have him as a teammate. He’s one of the best players in the country, and he really showed that tonight. But he’s selfless as well.”
Lendeborg, revealing he had suffered a MCL sprain of his left knee as well as an ankle injury, was removed at the 13:30 mark but asked for more playing time six or so minutes later after Arizona made a run.
“I felt like they were making sort of a run and I wanted to kind of neutralize it,” he said, finishing with 11 points and three boards.
“I wanted to be the guy who helps out. I didn’t want to sit out when my teammates needed me.”
Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was seen limping on many plays during the second half of Saturday’s Final Four vs. Arizona but still gave it a go and finished with 11 points across 15 minutes (10 in the second half after his injury) – Image Credit: Michigan Men’s Basketball
Earning the consistent praises of his head coach throughout the entirety of the season, May, once again, aired out his appreciation for Lendeborg and his demeanor as a winning-athlete:
“I think the guys know that Yax is about winning. And from day one, he’s always just been one of the guys. And when you have a first-team All-American potential player of the year that just wants to be one of the dudes, it helps everyone else fall in line and just accept their role.”
A player of the year on the court and the same stands off it.
With less than 48 hours to prepare for the 2026 National Championship vs. UConn—scheduled for this coming Monday night, April 6th on TBS/TRUTV/HBO MAX at 8:50PM ET/5:50PM PT—Lendeborg, planning to be as close to 100% as he can, still made sure to give back to Michigan fans in attendance following Saturday’s Final Four win in Indianapolis.
“All the energy that the fans were giving me, there was no way I couldn’t give it back to them,” he said. “I’m just glad they were supporting me and I was able to make it through.”
On what’s his status for Monday night’s National Championship:
“There’s no way I’m missing that game on Monday night no matter what goes on. I’m going to play unless I can’t walk at all.”
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
