If Yaxel Lendeborg returns to college for next season, he’ll play for coach Dusty May and the Wolverines.

Lendeborg, the UAB star big man who’s regarded as the top player in the transfer portal, shared the news of his commitment on his social media accounts Saturday.

Lendeborg has declared for the NBA Draft and is expected to go through the predraft process while maintaining his college eligibility. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward is projected to be a late first-round pick by Bleacher Report (No. 26) and The Athletic (No. 28) and a second-rounder by ESPN (No. 53).

“I’m focused on the draft process and making the NBA right now,” Lendeborg told ESPN. “I want a guaranteed contract. That’s the biggest thing. Make sure I am in a good spot. I would prefer to play college basketball in Ann Arbor than be in and out of the G League on a two-way (contract). I want to find a safe spot.”

CBS Sports, On3 and 247Sports all rank Lendeborg as the top transfer in the class, while The Athletic and ESPN have him ranked second and third, respectively. Based on his numbers and production, it’s easy to see why.

Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game at UAB last season, his second year with the program. He shot 35.7% from 3-point range (25-for-70), 55.2% on 2-pointers and 75.7% at the free-throw line.

He was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-AAC selection each of the past two seasons. Before joining UAB, Lendeborg spent two years at Arizona Western, a junior college, and was a two-time juco All-American.

May has firsthand experience with Lendeborg and faced him twice during his final season at Florida Atlantic in 2023-24. Lendeborg had eight points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the first meeting and a 17-point, 21-rebound outing in the second encounter.

The NCAA deadline to withdraw from the draft is 10 days after the NBA combine, which will take place May 11-18 in Chicago. That means Lendeborg will have to decide where he’ll play next season by May 28.

“Honestly, I’m stuck,” Lendeborg told The Birmingham Banner of his decision. “Obviously, I want to be in the NBA. I want to be a pro, but one more year college does sound fun. It does sound like I get to prepare myself a little bit more. … Ultimately, I can’t even say (for sure), but I would say like 80-20 NBA to college.”

Lendeborg is the third transfer to commit to Michigan, along with North Carolina point guard Elliot Cadeau and Illinois big man Morez Johnson Jr.