Yaxel Lendeborg Told the Dallas Mavericks to Draft Him, And It's All About Their New Coach Dusty May

Hold up, Seattle. Forget everything you thought you knew about NBA Draft drama. The league just got a jolt, and one college hoops star is already making demands! News broke on the eve of the NBA Draft, Monday, June 22, 2026, that Michigan's head coach, Dusty May, is officially ditching the Wolverines after just two seasons to become the new head honcho for the Dallas Mavericks. And trust me, the reaction from his former players is exactly what you'd expect from the guys who bled for him on the court. This is wild, folks!

These Michigan Draft Hopefuls Are Not Holding Back

So, the Mavs snatched up May, who's got a track record for winning, and get this: Dallas holds the No. 9 overall pick in the draft tonight. That just so happens to be right where three of May's Michigan stars, Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara, are projected to land in the first round. And Lendeborg? He's not messing around. He straight-up told reporters at a pre-draft event, "I'm going to tell him he better pick me up. If he doesn't, I'm going to be mad. I might block him." Can you even imagine? That’s the kind of loyalty and fire we love to see! Lendeborg went on to say it would be "amazing being able to stick with him," and that he, Morez, and Aday have already talked about it. While they're all "happy for him regardless," getting the chance to play for May in the NBA? That would be "awesome." He even joked about May trying to field an all-Michigan lineup, finding a way to get outgoing seniors Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle

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Jr. into the Mavericks' plans. Talk about dreaming big! Lendeborg summed it up perfectly: "I'm just super happy for him and I'm proud that he got what he wanted." Johnson and Mara echoed that sentiment, but they also admitted they were absolutely stunned by May's departure, especially since he just led Michigan to its first national title since 1989 a couple of months ago. Mara told reporters, "I'm happy for him and the opportunity that he got. I don't think nobody knew so we were all shocked." Johnson added, "I didn't see it coming. I'm excited for him." This is pure player emotion right here!

Dusty May's Legacy and What It Means for Dallas

Look, the shock is understandable, but May's record at Michigan speaks for itself. In just two years, he led the Wolverines to an insane 64-13 record. We're talking two Big Ten titles and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. This past season was historic, setting a program record with 37 wins and a Big Ten record with 19 conference wins. The dude knows how to win, period. Aday Mara is already predicting big things for May in the pros, saying, "He'll be good. Just by being with him one year I knew he was able to do that, be an NBA coach whenever he wanted. He'll be great." So, tonight, as the NBA Draft kicks off, every eye will be on Dallas and that No. 9 pick. Will the Mavericks listen to Lendeborg's not-so-subtle plea? Could we actually see a Michigan reunion in the NBA on day one? The stakes are sky-high for these young players and for the Mavericks as they kick off a new era under May. You gotta tune in, because this could be the start of something truly special in Dallas!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.