Yaxel Lendeborg wrapped up his college career by winning a national title at Michigan under Dusty May. He made his pitch to keep playing for him before Tuesday night’s draft.
The Dallas Mavericks announced they had hired May away from the Wolverines on Monday, and they have the No. 9 overall pick in the first round. That aligns with the rough range where Lendeborg — an Associated Press first-team all-American — could hear his name called as a potential lottery prospect.
So Lendeborg was ready with his pitch on ESPN’s predraft special.
“I’m very happy for him,” Lendeborg said while sharing a laugh with fellow Michigan lottery prospect Aday Mara. “I’ll be way happier for him if he suddenly takes me at nine. So he should draft me. Draft me, please.”
