Auburn forwards Johni Broome and Chaney Johnson are among those who will depart the program following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, and the search for their replacement has begun.
According to Joe Tipton of On3, Auburn is among several power programs that have reached out to UAB star forward Yaxel Lendeborg following his announcement to enter the transfer portal on Monday. Lendeborg entered the transfer portal with the option to declare for the NBA draft, meaning he could return to college if his NBA draft evaluation suggests one more season in the college ranks. A year with a Power-Five program such as Auburn could do wonders for his draft stock.
Lendeborg is a 6-9 power forward who averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists for the Blazers during the 2024-25 season. Compared to Auburn's star forward Johni Broome, who averages 18.7 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists for the Tigers. Only four players have recorded more double-doubles than Broome's 21 this season, and Lendeborg is one of them. The UAB star recorded 26 double-doubles this season, which ranks No. 1 nationally in the category.
Broome has been valuable to Auburn's success over the last three seasons, and Lendeborg could mirror the production that Broome will leave behind. However, Bruce Pearl will need to fight off efforts from top programs such as Kentucky, BYU, Michigan, Memphis, rival Alabama, as well as the NBA, to land him.
UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg has heard from the following schools since entering the portal earlier today, per source:
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 31, 2025
Arkansas
Kentucky
BYU
Auburn
Michigan
Alabama
Ole Miss
Georgetown
Memphishttps://t.co/PBnHOGcSdThttps://t.co/syr8ixGNjypic.twitter.com/fhx8fusmrg
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn basketball interested in UAB star Yaxel Lendeborg
