Yaxel Lendeborg on Michigan basketball: ‘Best frontcourt in the game’
Yaxel Lendeborg, a fifth-year transfer from UAB and No. 1 transfer portal prospect, breaks down Michigan basketball outlook Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Michigan basketball has landed a big commitment from a big man.
Quinn Costello, a 6-foot-10, 195-pound Class of 2026 forward from Boston (Newman School) has committed to the Wolverines, the confirmed Tuesday, Sept. 16. The four-star product is ranked as the top player in Massachusetts, the No. 7 forward in the nation the nation and No. 38 player in the country for his age, according to 247Sports composite rankings.
“A budding stretch-four with a very intriguing combination of positional size, skill, and vertical athleticism,” 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein wrote. “He has soft natural touch, stretches the floor, and can make shots off the dribble with an increasingly compact release. He shot 88% from the free-throw line and 43% on unguarded catch-and-shoot threes in UAA play.”
Costello is old for his grade, having turned 18 in July, meaning he will be 19-year-old more than three months before he plays his first official game with the Wolverines. U-M seems to have won a hotly contested commitment over a number of schools, perhaps most importantly against in-state rival Michigan State.
Purdue, North Carolina and Minnesota also were seen as primary contenders.
After visiting Purdue and Minnesota late last month and East Lansing in the first weekend of September, Costello took an official to Ann Arbor this past weekend, which is what seems to have locked him into a decision.
“The bottom line is that Costello has undeniable tools and fits a coveted archetype,” Finkelstein said. “The key is continuing to turn potential into production more consistently. … He’s trending in the right direction though and has his best basketball still in front of him.”
Costello is the second high school commitment Michigan has landed in the Class of 2026, joining fellow big man from Denmark − 7-foot-3 center Marcus Moeller.
It’s clear Dusty May has an affinity for both stretch-fours and tall centers. In his year-and-change in Ann Arbor he has brought in Vlad Goldin (7-foot-1), Danny Wolf (7-foot), Aday Mara (7-foot-2), Malick Kordel (7-foot-2) and Yaxel Lendeborg, a do-it-all point-forward.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.