The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 57 ❱ 2025 TRANSFER PORTAL ADDITIONS UCLA center transfer Aday Mara pledged to Michigan on April 11, adding to what's been an impressive front court haul. Mara joined forwards Morez John- son Jr. (Illinois) and Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB) as additions to the front line. A massive individual, the 7-foot-3 Mara will become the tallest player in Michigan history when he suits up for a game. He has two seasons of eligibility left, having appeared in 61 outings with nine starts for the Bruins from 2023-25. Last season, Mara averaged 6.4 points, 4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1 as- sist in 13 minutes per game. He shot 59 percent from the field — all two-point attempts — and 57.7 percent on 71 free throws. The defensive numbers are extremely impressive for Mara, who blocked 17.1 percent of opponents' two-point field goal attempts when he was on the floor. If he would've played 40 percent of his team's minutes and qualified on KenPom's ranking, that rate would've checked in first in the nation. UCLA's defense was much better when Mara was on the floor, allowing 0.956 points per possession with him in the lineup and 1.032 when he was on the bench, according to CBB Analytics. Mara earned a bigger role during the middle of UCLA's Big Ten schedule, and the team thrived because of it. From Jan. 21 to the end of the season, UCLA went 8-1 when Mara recorded 15-plus minutes and 7-1 when he was at 20- plus. In the final 16 games of the season, Mara averaged 8.6 points, 4.9 rebounds (2.3 offensive, 2.7 defensive), 2.3 blocks and 1.4 assists per outing, shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 56.5 percent from the charity stripe. He posted 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game as a freshman in 2023-24. His shooting percentage was at 44.2 percent and improved greatly from his first to second seasons. Mara stood out while playing for Spain in the July 2023 FIBA U18 European Championships in Serbia. He helped Spain advance to the championship contest while averaging 14 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.3 assists per game. A four-star recruit in the 2023 class, Mara was ranked by On3 as the No. 21 overall prospect and third-best center re- cruit. He attended IES El Picarral in Zara- goza, Spain. — Clayton Sayfie Aday Mara Brings Size And Skill To Michigan's Front Court Last year, Michigan head coach Dusty May put together a Sweet 16 roster in about a month and a half, prompt- ing many fans and pundits to wonder, "What could he do with more time and financial resources?" He responded by putting together one of the nation's top portal classes, led by University of Alabama-Birmingham transfer Yaxel Lendeborg. The 6-foot-9 power forward, the top overall player in the portal according to On3, had offers from Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and others, but he found the fit he was looking for in Ann Arbor. "It's amazing what Dusty May did with Danny Wolf," Lendeborg told ESPN.com of the Michigan junior for- ward who announced his intentions to enter the 2025 NBA Draft. "I would watch his games this season and say, 'Man, I wish that was me.' I'm trying to bring the same type of versatility he brought to Michigan. "I love the culture Dusty May has brought to every team that he's coached. When I first started watching college basketball, it was FAU [May's previous stop, Florida Atlantic]." Lendeborg was with UAB the last two seasons after three at Arizona West- ern Junior College, and he's improved each year. He was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference and the AAC Defensive Player of the Year in both seasons, averaging 15.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field. During his se- nior year, he produced 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per contest while shooting 52.2 percent from the field. At Arizona Western, Lendeborg shot 67.9 percent from the field, and averaged 13.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He was a two-time Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association All-American. "If he does end up playing at Michi- gan, one thing you and the fans will see is just how much he enjoys life," UAB writer Steve Irvine of the Birmingham Banner said. "He's just a big kid — he really is. He's a kid, too, who never loses sight of how special what he's doing is, because he didn't expect to be doing this. He really enjoys the journey and doesn't take it for granted. … The role Danny Wolf played is perfect for him. "I think he's a four [power forward]. I think he could be a three [small forward], but he's natural at a four. He can guard anywhere. Certainly, with his ball han- dling and different skills, he's got some guard skills. Another thing that is a fac- tor here is he improved as a three-point shooter this year, but it needs to become a little more part of his game." Lendeborg entered the draft and will likely stay in if he's a first-round pick (right now he's right on the edge). He'll have until May 28 to withdraw, though — if he does, he should be a great addition for the Wolverines. — Chris Balas No. 1 Portal Prospect Yaxel Lendeborg Commits, But Has Eyes On The NBA ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) Pennsauken, N.J. Position: Power Forward Ht.: 6-9 • Wt.: 240 On3 Transfer Portal Rankings: No. 1 at power forward and No. 1 overall ❱ Yaxel Lendeborg ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ UCLA Zaragoza, Spain Position: Center Ht.: 7-3 • Wt.: 240 On3 Transfer Portal Rankings: No. 3 center and No. 45 overall ❱ Aday Mara