ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan’s growing NBA pipeline was on full display during the 2026 NBA Summer League, as eight former Wolverines suited up across the league, highlighted by Yaxel Lendeborg leading the Golden State Warriors to the NBA Summer League championship.
The No. 11 overall pick capped a remarkable first professional showing with Golden State by earning NBA Summer League MVP honors after leading the Warriors to a 94-90 comeback victory over Memphis in the championship game. Lendeborg delivered when it mattered most, posting 21 points and 10 rebounds while scoring seven of Golden State’s final 10 points to secure the title and claim Championship Game MVP honors.
Over his Summer League run, Lendeborg averaged 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from three-point range, continuing the all-around play that made him a consensus All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year and national champion at Michigan.
Lendeborg was not the only Wolverine making an impact. Michigan’s other two 2026 lottery selections also impressed in their professional debuts.
Morez Johnson Jr. showcased his physical presence in the paint, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.5 steals while shooting 64.0 percent from the floor before Dallas elected to shut him down after two games.
Aday Mara flashed the unique skill set that made him one of the nation’s elite big men, averaging 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks while shooting 56.3 percent from the field before Oklahoma City also shut him down after five contests.
Former first-round pick Kobe Bufkin (New Orleans) was among the Summer League’s top scorers, averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in three games before being shut down.
Elsewhere, Michigan’s veteran professionals continued to produce. Danny Wolf (Brooklyn Nets) averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, while Nimari Burnett (Toronto Raptors) added 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
Vladislav Goldin (Miami Heat) provided a consistent interior presence with 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, while Roddy Gayle Jr. (Detroit Pistons) made the most of his opportunities by shooting 61.5 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from three-point range.
From an MVP performance and championship to standout rookie debuts and productive veteran outings, Michigan’s presence throughout the NBA Summer League underscored the program’s continued success in developing talent for the professional level.
| Player | NBA Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kobe Bufkin | New Orleans Pelicans | 3 | 21.3 | 5.3 | 3.0 |
| Nimari Burnett | Toronto Raptors | 5 | 10.6 | 4.4 | 2.2 |
| Roddy Gayle Jr. | Detroit Pistons | 4 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 0.8 |
| Vladislav Goldin | Miami Heat | 7 | 8.6 | 6.6 | 1.6 |
| Morez Johnson Jr. | Dallas Mavericks | 2 | 18.5 | 6.5 | 1.5 |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | Golden State Warriors | 8 | 14.9 | 6.8 | 4.0 |
| Aday Mara | Oklahoma City Thunder | 5 | 9.2 | 7.0 | 3.2 |
| Danny Wolf | Brooklyn Nets | 4 | 11.8 | 5.8 | 1.8 |
