Injury Update on Jaxel Lendeborg

Jaxel Lendeborg, the standout player for Michigan this season, suffered a worrying ankle injury during Saturday’s Final Four matchup against Arizona.

It happened midway through the first quarter when Lendeborg was fouled while trying for a layup. He twisted his ankle and landed heavily on the floor.

As he hit the court, he screamed in pain. Remarkably, he managed to hit two free throws before leaving the court, visibly upset with his hands over his face.

Shortly after, the 6-foot-9 senior went to the locker room. Reports from TNT indicated that the Michigan medical staff was evaluating not only his ankle but also a previously injured knee.

Thankfully, initial assessments revealed no serious injuries that would keep him sidelined.

Lendeborg made a comeback for the second half; however, it was later relayed to broadcasters that he had sustained an MCL injury along with the sprained ankle.

Things got a bit confusing, though. After playing for a brief three minutes post-injury, Lendeborg was seen staggering to the Michigan bench before heading back to the locker room.

According to TNT’s updates, Wolverines staff are icing his ankle and closely monitoring the severity of his injuries.

This season marked Lendeborg’s first with the Wolverines after transferring from a junior college and playing two seasons with Alabama-Birmingham. He had an outstanding year at Michigan, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors while averaging 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 38 games.

Reflecting on his journey, Lendeborg has often remarked on the challenges he faced. “When I went to JUCO, I didn’t have confidence in myself,” he shared with reporters. “It felt like I was wasting my time. This entire experience has been like a dream, but it wasn’t easy. Many times, I wanted to just give up.”