Former Pennsauken player leads Michigan to NCAA basketball championship - Philadelphia

Yaxel Lendeborg went from playing basketball briefly at Pennsauken High School to winning the NCAA basketball championship.

PENNSAUKEN, NJ (WPVI) - Yaxel Lendeborg went from playing basketball briefly at Pennsauken High School to winning an NCAA basketball championship.

The 23-year-old is celebrating a dream come true after leading the Michigan Wolverines to the NCAA tournament and defeating UCONN 69-63 in the championship game on Monday night.

“It’s really, really good to be a champion and be on top of the world, man,” he said.

The 6-foot-9 forward and Big Ten Player of the Year battled through injury in the Final Four and overcame confidence to help lead his team to victory.

RELATED: From Pennsauken to Final Four, Rising Yaxel Landenberg Has His Mom's Support

"I was trying to fight my mental and physical battles, fight with myself, but those guys really supported me and helped me get going," Lindborg said.

The ability to dig deep and believe in yourself is a big part of Lendeborg's journey.

He played in only 11 games in high school, his entire senior year at Pennsauken, due to academic reasons.

But he says that it was his mother's determination and guidance that helped him endure.

He has been undergoing cancer treatment since the start of the season, but has yet to play a few games.

He spoke with Action News after Michigan advanced to the Final Four.

"I love Yaxel, and I'm proud to go, and I feel grateful," said Landburg's mother, Yeslein Raposo.

Landberg's former coach at Pennsauken, Harrison Carcillo, said it's been amazing to see every success on and off the field.

"Honestly, this sends my body into a whole other realm of wow. This is what happens when you believe in yourself and work really hard, and you believe in what you have. This is wonderful," he said.

Lundberg initially entered the 2025 NBA Draft but decided to transfer to the University of Michigan rather than continue to improve his skills.

Looking ahead, Lendeborg said his mother is finishing chemotherapy soon, and now he has his sights set on June's NBA draft, possibly in the first round.