Yaxel Lendeborg felt like he had the toughest 2025 NBA Draft decision of any early entry candidate. The 22-year-old big man emerged as one of the best players in college basketball this past season at UAB as an offensive supernova who doubled as a high-level defensive anchor.

With only 26% of last year’s minutes returning, including backcourt standouts J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman, the Orange have leaned heavily on transfers and incoming freshmen to reshape the roster ahead of 2025-26.