INDIANAPOLIS — Yaxel Lendeborg accepted his fate. College wasn’t for him. 

“I was working at a warehouse,” Michigan’s star forward said on Friday. “I was getting used to that lifestyle, this is going to be [my life]. I didn’t have any other aspirations or goals in mind.” 

His mother, Yissel Raposo, wouldn’t accept it. She forced him to go to junior college. 

Six years later, the 6-foot-9 senior from Pennsauken, N.J., is getting ready to play in the Final Four.

Soon, he will be an NBA draft pick, possibly even hearing his name called in the lottery. 

It has been a wild journey.

Three years at Arizona Western College, two years at UAB, and now this past season at Michigan. In high school, Lendeborg admittedly “slacked off all four years.”

“I had no confidence in myself when I went to JUCO,” he recalled. “I didn’t want to go anyway, so it was like I was just wasting time. The journey has really felt like a dream, every step of the way. I went through so much. Mentally, it was definitely draining. There were many times I wanted to give up, I wanted to quit.”

Raposo wouldn’t let him. At Arizona Western, Lendeborg developed into a junior college All-American. Initially, he committed to St. John’s under former coach Mike Anderson. But when Anderson was fired, he decommitted and landed at UAB. There, he was one of the top mid-major players in the country. After his second season there, in which he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 blocks, Lendeborg entered the transfer portal while putting his name into the NBA Draft. 

He would’ve likely been a late first-round pick, but he didn’t feel ready to make the jump. He also wanted the opportunity to play for the Wolverines. 

Lendeborg felt a bond with Michigan coach Dusty May. May spent plenty of time building a relationship with Lendeborg, even though it was very much up in the air if he would get to coach him. 

“He was with me throughout the whole process,” Lendeborg said. “That meant a lot to me.”

He couldn’t have imagined a season like this. Lendeborg has led Michigan to a 35-3 record, was an Associated Press first-team All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year. He added Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player last weekend. 

“Everything has been falling into place so far,” said Lendeborg, averaging 21 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and shooting 50 percent from 3-point range in the NCAA Tournament. “We have two more wins and everything will be perfect.”

It’s bound to be a heavyweight showdown on Saturday night between the pair of No. 1 seeds: Michigan vs. Arizona. Both teams are similar in style and build, and both teams have gone through their competition.

There will be plenty of stars on the court on Saturday night. For the Wolverines, the talk of Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Elliot Cadeau has filled the talk shows in recent days, but there is another player who could be Michigan’s X Factor against the Wildcats.

Despite a role decrease this season, fifth-year senior Nimari Burnett will take the court as a starter and could play a pivotal role in what happens on Saturday night.

Why Burnett is the X Factor

In Year 3 at Michigan, Burnett is playing his lowest minutes and scoring the least since he arrived in Ann Arbor — but this is also the most talented team the Chicago native has played with. Burnett is surrounded by stars and he has taken his role and run with it.

“What also makes it worth it is playing here at this stage right now,” Burnett said to the media regarding his role. “Playing with the most unselfish, the best players across the country and getting to this moment, playing in the NCAA Tournament, it means everything. And these are the goals that we set prior to the season.

“So any level of success will take a level of sacrifice. We all understand that, but we’re all committed to that one goal, which is to win a National Championship.”

While he is playing just under 20 minutes per game, and averaging 8.4 points per game — he is still one of the top shooters on the team. When taking a three-point shot, Burnett makes 38.1%, just under Trey McKenney on the team.

Arizona is going to put a lot of focus on stopping the other starting three in the game on Saturday night. But we’ve seen previously what happens when Burnett gets his footing under him and gets confident.

Burnett scored a career-high 31 points earlier this season to help Michigan beat Penn State. He has scored in double figures in three of Michigan’s four NCAA Tournament wins and the Maize and Blue will hope he can remain hot in this game on Saturday.

The 6’5″ veteran hasn’t shot the three particularly well this postseason, but playing in Indianapolis, with a spot in the national title on the line — this is where leaders emerge and unsung heroes shine.

Severe storms that could potentially produce a tornado are moving through Michigan.

Southeast Barry County and Eaton County are under a severe thunderstorm warning through 9:15 p.m. while nine counties in southwest Michigan are under a tornado watch until 11 p.m.

“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” the NWS said. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

The agency issued tornado warnings for parts of Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties, but those warnings have expired.

The storm system moving into southwest Michigan is bringing winds with gust up to 70 mph and a low chance for an isolated tornado west of U.S.-23.

The storm also could bring hail measuring a half-inch in diameter and brief, heavy downpours of rain. Minor flooding is possible in areas with poor drainage.

mreinhart@detroitnews.com