2025-26 Men's Basketball Roster

Jersey Number 23
Yaxel Lendeborg
- Class:
- Graduate Student
- Position:
- F
- Height:
- 6-9
- Weight:
- 240
- Hometown:
- Pennsauken, N.J.
- High School:
- Pennsauken HS
Pronunciation
First Name: "yax-ul"
Last Name: "lend-eh-borg"
Who is Yaxel Lendeborg?
• Productive, versatile, and modern frontcourt big
• Strong feel for the game, rebounding motor and playmaking ability
• Mature and intelligent decision-maker
• Team-oriented player and leader
• Consistent two-way impact player
• Wins rebounding battles through positioning
• Began playing organized basketball at age 15
Season: 2025-26 (Michigan)
• Portal transfer from Alabama-Birmingham (UAB)
• Played in six games, with five starts
• Averaging a team-best 15.3 points per game
• Has five games of double-digit scoring, with one of 20-plus
• Scored a season-high 25 points against Middle Tennessee (Nov. 19)
• Shooting 32-for-53 (60.4 percent) from the field
• Has three games of five-plus field goals
• Made a season-best nine field goals on 12 attempts (75.0 percent) vs. Middle Tennessee
• Shooting 11-for-28 from three
• Made a three pointer in each game this season along with teammate Elliot Cadeau
• Has four games of two-plus three pointers
• Made a season-high three three-pointers on seven attempts (42.9 percent) vs. Auburn (Nov. 25)
• Averaging 7.0 rebounds per game
• Has five games of five-plus rebounds, with two of 10-plus
• Recorded a season-best 12 rebounds vs. Middle Tennessee
• Has two double-doubles (point-rebound)
• 14 points, 10 rebounds; at TCU (Nov. 14)
• 25 points, 12 rebounds; vs. Middle Tennessee
• Averaging 3.3 assists per game
• Has five games of three-plus assists
• Had a season-high four assists three times:
• at TCU
• vs. San Diego State (Nov. 24)
• vs. Auburn
• Averaging 1.3 blocks per game
• Registered a season-best three blocks at TCU
• Has five steals
• Averaging a team-high 27.6 minutes per game
• Played a season-high 33 minutes vs. Wake Forest (Nov. 11)
Career: UAB (2024-25; two seasons)
• (2x) All-American Conference first team (2024, '25)
• (2x) American Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2024, '25)
• Preseason American Conference Player of the Year and first team (2024-25)
• American Conference Tournament: Most Valuable Player (2024)
• NABC All-District: first team (2025), second team (2024)
• Led UAB to the 2024 American Conference Tournament title
• Helped UAB reach back-to-back championship games (2024, '25)
• Led UAB to the 2024 NCAA Tournament, first round
• Led UAB to the 2025 NIT quarterfinal
• In 2024-25: one of two DI players to record 600 points, 400 rebounds and 150 assists, joining legend Larry Bird
• Played in 72 games, with 68 starts
• Over his two seasons, averaged a double-double (15.8 ppg and 11.0 rpg)
• Points: 1,136 (15.8 per game)
• 25th UAB player to reach 1,000 points; fifth to do it in two seasons
• Posted 58 double figure games, with 23 of 20-plus and one of 30-plus
• Scored a career-high 30 vs. East Carolina (March 14, 2025)
• Rebounds: 790 (11.0 per game)
• Posted 48 double figure rebound games, with two of 20-plus
• Grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds against Florida Atlantic (Feb. 8, 2024)
• Double-doubles: 45 (point-rebound)
• UAB program record
• Junior: 19 (35 games) and senior: 26 (37 games)
• Assists: 229 (3.2 per game)
• Posted 19 games with five-plus assists
• Dished a career-high eight (3x): vs. East Carolina, Temple (Feb. 23), Tulane (Jan. 7)
• Blocks: 138 (1.9 per game)
• Posted five games with five-plus blocks
• Had a career-high seven blocks at UTSA (Jan. 2)
Junior College: Arizona Western (2021-22-23; three seasons)
• National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-America DI: second team (2023), third team (2022)
• Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) DI Player of the Year (2022)
• ACCAC DI Defensive Player of the Year (2023)
• ACCAC DI Freshman of the Year (2022)
• ACCAC All-Region DI: first team (2022, '23)
• NJCAA Region I, DI: champion (2023), runner-up (2022)
• ACCAC Champions (2022)
• Played in 78 games, with 60 starts
• Over his three seasons, averaged a double-double (13.2 ppg and 11.2 rpg)
• Points: 1,026 (13.2 per game)
• Posted 54 double figure games, with 18 of 20-plus and two of 30-plus
• Scored a JC-high 31 points against Eastern Arizona (March 4, 2023)
• Rebounds: 870 (11.2 per game)
• Led the NJCAA in rebounding in 2022-23 (13.0 rpg)
• Posted 50 double figure rebound games, with three of 20-plus and one of 30-plus
• Grabbed a JC career-high 31 rebounds against Scottsdale (Jan. 28, 2023)
• Double-doubles: 40 (point-rebound)
• Freshman: two (14 games), sophomore: 18 (31 games) and junior: 20 (33 games)
• Assists: 175 (2.2 per game)
• Posted eight games with five-plus assists
• Dished a JC career-high six assists (2x): Western Wyoming (Nov. 19, 2022), Community Chrisitan (Nov. 2, 2021)
• Blocks: 103 (1.3 per game)
• Posted three games with five-plus blocks
• Had a JC career-high six blocks at Glendale CC (Feb. 28, 2023)
• Steals: 93 (1.2 per game)
• Posted three games with five-plus steals
• Had a JC career-high six steals at Palo Verde (Nov. 1, 2021)
Season: 2024-25 (UAB)
• One of two Blazers to start all 37 games
• Averaged a team-best 17.7 points per game
• Recorded second 400-plus and first 600-plus point season (654)
• Posted 34 double figure games, with 16 of 20-plus and one 30-plus
• Scored a career-high 30 points vs. East Carolina (March 14)
• Averaged a team-best 11.4 rebounds per game
• Recorded second 300-plus and first 400-plus rebound season (420)
• UAB single season rebound record
• Posted 27 games of 10-plus rebounds, with one of 20-plus
• Grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds vs. East Carolina
• Recorded 26 double doubles (point-rebound)
• Shot a team-best 52.2 percent from the field (238-for-456)
• Recorded second 150-plus and first 200-plus field goal season (238)
• Posted 29 games with five-plus field goals and four with 10-plus
• Made a career-high 11 against Tulane (Jan. 7)
• Shot 35.7 percent from long range (25-for-70) and 75.7 percent on free throws (153-for-202)
• Recorded second 150-plus made free throw season (153)
• Averaged a team-best 2.6 assists per game
• Recorded first 150-plus assist season (157)
• Posted 18 games with five-plus assists
• Dished a career-high eight assists (3x): East Carolina, Temple (Feb. 23) and Tulane (Jan. 7)
• Averaged a team-best 1.8 blocks per game
• Recorded second 60-plus block season (66)
• Posted nine games with three-plus blocks
• Had a career-high six blocks against South Florida (Feb. 16)
• Averaged a team-best 1.7 steals per game
• Recorded second 60-plus steal season (64)
• Posted nine games with three-plus steals
• Had a career-high five steals vs. East Carolina
• Averaged a team-best 33.6 minutes per game
• Only Blazer to average more than 30 minutes per game
• Recorded first 1,000-minute season (1,244)
• Posted 35 games of 25-plus minutes, 29 of 30-plus and five of 40-plus
• Played in a season-high 44 minutes at UC Irvine (OT, March 26)
Season: 2023-24 (UAB)
• Played 35 games, with 31 starts
• Made UAB debut, and first start, against Bradley (Nov. 6): three points, five rebounds and two assists
• Averaged a team-best 13.8 points per game
• Recorded first 400-plus point season (482)
• Posted 24 double figure games, with seven of 20-plus
• Scored a season-high 26 points at Tulane (Feb. 25)
• Averaged a team-best 10.6 rebounds per game
• Recorded first 300-plus rebound season (370)
• Posted 21 games of 10-plus rebounds, with one of 20-plus
• Grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds against Florida Atlantic (Feb. 8)
• Recorded 19 double doubles (point-rebound)
• Shot 51.3 percent from the field (157-for-306)
• Recorded first 150-plus field goal season (157)
• Posted 18 games with five-plus field goals, one with 10-plus
• Made a season-high 10 at Tulane (Feb. 25)
• Shot 33.3 percent from long range (12-for-36) and 80.0 percent on free throws (156-for-195)
• Recorded first 150-plus made free throw season (156)
• Averaged 2.1 assists per game
• Posted 17 games of three-plus assists
• Dished a season-high five assists at Arkansas State (Dec. 9)
• Averaged a team-best 2.1 blocks per game
• Recorded first 70-plus block season (72)
• Posted 14 games with three-plus blocks
• Had a career-high seven blocks at UTSA (Jan. 2)
• Averaged 30.0 minutes per game
• Recorded first 1,000-minute season (1,051)
• Posted 31 games of 20-plus minutes, 22 of 30-plus and two of 40-plus
• Played in a career-high 45 minutes against Florida Atlantic (OT, Feb. 8)
Season: 2022-23 (Arizona Western)
• Played in 33 games, with 26 starts
• Averaged 17.2 points per game
• Recorded first 500-plus point season (568)
• Posted 27 double figure games, 15 of 20-plus and two of 30-plus
• Scored a JC career-high 31 points against Eastern Arizona (March 4)
• Averaged 13.0 rebounds per game
• Recorded first 400-plus rebound season (429)
• Posted 23 games of 10-plus rebounds, three of 20-plus and one of 30-plus
• Grabbed a JC career-high 31 rebounds (10 offensive, 21 defensive) against Scottsdale (Jan. 28)
• Averaged 2.6 assists per game
• Posted 10 games of four-plus assists
• Had a JC career-high-tying six assists vs. Western Wyoming (Nov. 19)
• Shot 72.7 percent from field (232-for-319)
• Averaged 1.4 blocks per game
• Recorded second 40-plus block season (46)
• Had a JC career-high six blocks at Glendale (Feb. 28)
• Averaged 30.0 minutes per game
• Posted 26 games of 25-plus minutes, 17 of 30-plus, five of 40-plus and one of 50-plus
• Played a JC career-high 50 minutes against Scottsdale (2OT, Jan. 28)
Season: 2021-22 (Arizona Western)
• Played in 31 games, with 30 starts
• Averaged 12.0 points per game
• Recorded first 300-plus point season (372)
• Posted 23 double figure games, with three of 20-plus
• Scored a season-high 26 points against Pima (Jan. 19)
• Averaged 11.0 rebounds per game
• Recorded first 300-plus rebound season (341)
• Posted 22 games of 10-plus rebounds
• Grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds against Pima)
• Averaged 2.6 assists per game
• Posted 10 games with four-plus assists
• Dished a JC career-high six assists at Community Christian (Nov. 2)
• Shot 60.7 percent from the field (142-for-234)
• Averaged 1.5 blocks per game
• Recorded first 40-plus block season (48)
• Had a season-high five blocks at Pima (Nov. 17)
• Averaged 30.4 minutes per game
• Posted 30 games of 25-plus minutes, with 17 of 30-plus and one of 40-plus
• Played all 40 minutes against Cochise College (Feb. 28)
Season: 2020-21 (Arizona Western)
• Played 14 games, with four starts
• Season shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic
• Made junior college debut at Palo Verde (Nov. 1): 15 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks
• Made first career start at Community Chrisitan (Nov. 2): 10 points, 11 rebounds and six assists
• Averaged 6.1 points per game
• Posted four double-figure games
• Scored a season-high 12 points
• Averaged 7.1 rebounds per game
• Recorded 100 rebounds (42 offensive, 58 defensive)
• Posted five 10-plus rebound games
• Grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds at Cochise College (April 4)
• Shot 71.4 percent from the field (35-for-49)
• Averaged 19.2 minutes per game
• Played a season-high 34 minutes at Central Arizona (Jan. 30)
Notes
• Has played organized basketball for five years
• Played only 11 games (10-1) during his prep career before heading to Arizona Western
First Name: "yax-ul"
Last Name: "lend-eh-borg"
Who is Yaxel Lendeborg?
• Productive, versatile, and modern frontcourt big
• Strong feel for the game, rebounding motor and playmaking ability
• Mature and intelligent decision-maker
• Team-oriented player and leader
• Consistent two-way impact player
• Wins rebounding battles through positioning
• Began playing organized basketball at age 15
Season: 2025-26 (Michigan)
• Portal transfer from Alabama-Birmingham (UAB)
• Played in six games, with five starts
• Averaging a team-best 15.3 points per game
• Has five games of double-digit scoring, with one of 20-plus
• Scored a season-high 25 points against Middle Tennessee (Nov. 19)
• Shooting 32-for-53 (60.4 percent) from the field
• Has three games of five-plus field goals
• Made a season-best nine field goals on 12 attempts (75.0 percent) vs. Middle Tennessee
• Shooting 11-for-28 from three
• Made a three pointer in each game this season along with teammate Elliot Cadeau
• Has four games of two-plus three pointers
• Made a season-high three three-pointers on seven attempts (42.9 percent) vs. Auburn (Nov. 25)
• Averaging 7.0 rebounds per game
• Has five games of five-plus rebounds, with two of 10-plus
• Recorded a season-best 12 rebounds vs. Middle Tennessee
• Has two double-doubles (point-rebound)
• 14 points, 10 rebounds; at TCU (Nov. 14)
• 25 points, 12 rebounds; vs. Middle Tennessee
• Averaging 3.3 assists per game
• Has five games of three-plus assists
• Had a season-high four assists three times:
• at TCU
• vs. San Diego State (Nov. 24)
• vs. Auburn
• Averaging 1.3 blocks per game
• Registered a season-best three blocks at TCU
• Has five steals
• Averaging a team-high 27.6 minutes per game
• Played a season-high 33 minutes vs. Wake Forest (Nov. 11)
Career: UAB (2024-25; two seasons)
• (2x) All-American Conference first team (2024, '25)
• (2x) American Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2024, '25)
• Preseason American Conference Player of the Year and first team (2024-25)
• American Conference Tournament: Most Valuable Player (2024)
• NABC All-District: first team (2025), second team (2024)
• Led UAB to the 2024 American Conference Tournament title
• Helped UAB reach back-to-back championship games (2024, '25)
• Led UAB to the 2024 NCAA Tournament, first round
• Led UAB to the 2025 NIT quarterfinal
• In 2024-25: one of two DI players to record 600 points, 400 rebounds and 150 assists, joining legend Larry Bird
• Played in 72 games, with 68 starts
• Over his two seasons, averaged a double-double (15.8 ppg and 11.0 rpg)
• Points: 1,136 (15.8 per game)
• 25th UAB player to reach 1,000 points; fifth to do it in two seasons
• Posted 58 double figure games, with 23 of 20-plus and one of 30-plus
• Scored a career-high 30 vs. East Carolina (March 14, 2025)
• Rebounds: 790 (11.0 per game)
• Posted 48 double figure rebound games, with two of 20-plus
• Grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds against Florida Atlantic (Feb. 8, 2024)
• Double-doubles: 45 (point-rebound)
• UAB program record
• Junior: 19 (35 games) and senior: 26 (37 games)
• Assists: 229 (3.2 per game)
• Posted 19 games with five-plus assists
• Dished a career-high eight (3x): vs. East Carolina, Temple (Feb. 23), Tulane (Jan. 7)
• Blocks: 138 (1.9 per game)
• Posted five games with five-plus blocks
• Had a career-high seven blocks at UTSA (Jan. 2)
Junior College: Arizona Western (2021-22-23; three seasons)
• National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-America DI: second team (2023), third team (2022)
• Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) DI Player of the Year (2022)
• ACCAC DI Defensive Player of the Year (2023)
• ACCAC DI Freshman of the Year (2022)
• ACCAC All-Region DI: first team (2022, '23)
• NJCAA Region I, DI: champion (2023), runner-up (2022)
• ACCAC Champions (2022)
• Played in 78 games, with 60 starts
• Over his three seasons, averaged a double-double (13.2 ppg and 11.2 rpg)
• Points: 1,026 (13.2 per game)
• Posted 54 double figure games, with 18 of 20-plus and two of 30-plus
• Scored a JC-high 31 points against Eastern Arizona (March 4, 2023)
• Rebounds: 870 (11.2 per game)
• Led the NJCAA in rebounding in 2022-23 (13.0 rpg)
• Posted 50 double figure rebound games, with three of 20-plus and one of 30-plus
• Grabbed a JC career-high 31 rebounds against Scottsdale (Jan. 28, 2023)
• Double-doubles: 40 (point-rebound)
• Freshman: two (14 games), sophomore: 18 (31 games) and junior: 20 (33 games)
• Assists: 175 (2.2 per game)
• Posted eight games with five-plus assists
• Dished a JC career-high six assists (2x): Western Wyoming (Nov. 19, 2022), Community Chrisitan (Nov. 2, 2021)
• Blocks: 103 (1.3 per game)
• Posted three games with five-plus blocks
• Had a JC career-high six blocks at Glendale CC (Feb. 28, 2023)
• Steals: 93 (1.2 per game)
• Posted three games with five-plus steals
• Had a JC career-high six steals at Palo Verde (Nov. 1, 2021)
Season: 2024-25 (UAB)
• One of two Blazers to start all 37 games
• Averaged a team-best 17.7 points per game
• Recorded second 400-plus and first 600-plus point season (654)
• Posted 34 double figure games, with 16 of 20-plus and one 30-plus
• Scored a career-high 30 points vs. East Carolina (March 14)
• Averaged a team-best 11.4 rebounds per game
• Recorded second 300-plus and first 400-plus rebound season (420)
• UAB single season rebound record
• Posted 27 games of 10-plus rebounds, with one of 20-plus
• Grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds vs. East Carolina
• Recorded 26 double doubles (point-rebound)
• Shot a team-best 52.2 percent from the field (238-for-456)
• Recorded second 150-plus and first 200-plus field goal season (238)
• Posted 29 games with five-plus field goals and four with 10-plus
• Made a career-high 11 against Tulane (Jan. 7)
• Shot 35.7 percent from long range (25-for-70) and 75.7 percent on free throws (153-for-202)
• Recorded second 150-plus made free throw season (153)
• Averaged a team-best 2.6 assists per game
• Recorded first 150-plus assist season (157)
• Posted 18 games with five-plus assists
• Dished a career-high eight assists (3x): East Carolina, Temple (Feb. 23) and Tulane (Jan. 7)
• Averaged a team-best 1.8 blocks per game
• Recorded second 60-plus block season (66)
• Posted nine games with three-plus blocks
• Had a career-high six blocks against South Florida (Feb. 16)
• Averaged a team-best 1.7 steals per game
• Recorded second 60-plus steal season (64)
• Posted nine games with three-plus steals
• Had a career-high five steals vs. East Carolina
• Averaged a team-best 33.6 minutes per game
• Only Blazer to average more than 30 minutes per game
• Recorded first 1,000-minute season (1,244)
• Posted 35 games of 25-plus minutes, 29 of 30-plus and five of 40-plus
• Played in a season-high 44 minutes at UC Irvine (OT, March 26)
Season: 2023-24 (UAB)
• Played 35 games, with 31 starts
• Made UAB debut, and first start, against Bradley (Nov. 6): three points, five rebounds and two assists
• Averaged a team-best 13.8 points per game
• Recorded first 400-plus point season (482)
• Posted 24 double figure games, with seven of 20-plus
• Scored a season-high 26 points at Tulane (Feb. 25)
• Averaged a team-best 10.6 rebounds per game
• Recorded first 300-plus rebound season (370)
• Posted 21 games of 10-plus rebounds, with one of 20-plus
• Grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds against Florida Atlantic (Feb. 8)
• Recorded 19 double doubles (point-rebound)
• Shot 51.3 percent from the field (157-for-306)
• Recorded first 150-plus field goal season (157)
• Posted 18 games with five-plus field goals, one with 10-plus
• Made a season-high 10 at Tulane (Feb. 25)
• Shot 33.3 percent from long range (12-for-36) and 80.0 percent on free throws (156-for-195)
• Recorded first 150-plus made free throw season (156)
• Averaged 2.1 assists per game
• Posted 17 games of three-plus assists
• Dished a season-high five assists at Arkansas State (Dec. 9)
• Averaged a team-best 2.1 blocks per game
• Recorded first 70-plus block season (72)
• Posted 14 games with three-plus blocks
• Had a career-high seven blocks at UTSA (Jan. 2)
• Averaged 30.0 minutes per game
• Recorded first 1,000-minute season (1,051)
• Posted 31 games of 20-plus minutes, 22 of 30-plus and two of 40-plus
• Played in a career-high 45 minutes against Florida Atlantic (OT, Feb. 8)
Season: 2022-23 (Arizona Western)
• Played in 33 games, with 26 starts
• Averaged 17.2 points per game
• Recorded first 500-plus point season (568)
• Posted 27 double figure games, 15 of 20-plus and two of 30-plus
• Scored a JC career-high 31 points against Eastern Arizona (March 4)
• Averaged 13.0 rebounds per game
• Recorded first 400-plus rebound season (429)
• Posted 23 games of 10-plus rebounds, three of 20-plus and one of 30-plus
• Grabbed a JC career-high 31 rebounds (10 offensive, 21 defensive) against Scottsdale (Jan. 28)
• Averaged 2.6 assists per game
• Posted 10 games of four-plus assists
• Had a JC career-high-tying six assists vs. Western Wyoming (Nov. 19)
• Shot 72.7 percent from field (232-for-319)
• Averaged 1.4 blocks per game
• Recorded second 40-plus block season (46)
• Had a JC career-high six blocks at Glendale (Feb. 28)
• Averaged 30.0 minutes per game
• Posted 26 games of 25-plus minutes, 17 of 30-plus, five of 40-plus and one of 50-plus
• Played a JC career-high 50 minutes against Scottsdale (2OT, Jan. 28)
Season: 2021-22 (Arizona Western)
• Played in 31 games, with 30 starts
• Averaged 12.0 points per game
• Recorded first 300-plus point season (372)
• Posted 23 double figure games, with three of 20-plus
• Scored a season-high 26 points against Pima (Jan. 19)
• Averaged 11.0 rebounds per game
• Recorded first 300-plus rebound season (341)
• Posted 22 games of 10-plus rebounds
• Grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds against Pima)
• Averaged 2.6 assists per game
• Posted 10 games with four-plus assists
• Dished a JC career-high six assists at Community Christian (Nov. 2)
• Shot 60.7 percent from the field (142-for-234)
• Averaged 1.5 blocks per game
• Recorded first 40-plus block season (48)
• Had a season-high five blocks at Pima (Nov. 17)
• Averaged 30.4 minutes per game
• Posted 30 games of 25-plus minutes, with 17 of 30-plus and one of 40-plus
• Played all 40 minutes against Cochise College (Feb. 28)
Season: 2020-21 (Arizona Western)
• Played 14 games, with four starts
• Season shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic
• Made junior college debut at Palo Verde (Nov. 1): 15 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks
• Made first career start at Community Chrisitan (Nov. 2): 10 points, 11 rebounds and six assists
• Averaged 6.1 points per game
• Posted four double-figure games
• Scored a season-high 12 points
• Averaged 7.1 rebounds per game
• Recorded 100 rebounds (42 offensive, 58 defensive)
• Posted five 10-plus rebound games
• Grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds at Cochise College (April 4)
• Shot 71.4 percent from the field (35-for-49)
• Averaged 19.2 minutes per game
• Played a season-high 34 minutes at Central Arizona (Jan. 30)
Notes
• Has played organized basketball for five years
• Played only 11 games (10-1) during his prep career before heading to Arizona Western
Men's Basketball Press Conference: Dusty May (Dec. 1)
Monday, December 01
Men's Basketball Highlights vs. Gonzaga (Nov. 26)
Wednesday, November 26
Men's Basketball Highlights vs. Auburn (Nov. 25)
Tuesday, November 25
Men's Basketball Highlights vs. San Diego State (Nov. 24)
Tuesday, November 25







