For most of the first two games in Chicago, Michigan has showcased its two of everything luxury.

If someone doesn't quite have it, others can step up.

The Wolverines have had to deal with that in recent games due to L.J. Kason's season ending injury,

but of course, Dusty May and his staff also must ride the waves of players' individual performances,

game to game, minute by minute.

We can, and I have plenty, talked about the critical roles of others on this team.

Michigan boasts several stars, future NBAers, more key pieces that a championship team requires.

But there is only one player.

Michigan waited weeks and weeks for during the NBA draft process. There is only one player who was atop those portal rankings, and there was only one player. Michigan waited weeks and weeks for during the NBA draft process.

There is only one player who was atop those portal rankings, and there was only one player

who was a unanimous first teamer in the Big Ten. Yaxel Lendeborg is a fascinating player, person,

story. So much of what has transpired for him in this college basketball career would not be approved in a

Hollywood script. It's too outlandish. His mom now battling cancer pushed him away from a life of

video games and what ifs and started this rocket ship of a basketball career for a young man

who still doesn't totally fully grasp all that he is and all that he can be and his place in the game of basketball.

Lendeborg wears his emotions on his sleeves.

He's willing to say what he feels and thinks, yeah, it could occasionally be construed his

bulletin board material, but it comes from the heart.

And there are times when he leaves something to be desired on the floor.

For example, late in the regular season when Lendaborg registered a season low three points

in Michigan's uninspiring win over Minnesota, LJ. Kaysen spoke to the media after the game

and had this quote, he probably just wasn't there mentally.

...