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Deadspin | Reports link UNC search to Billy Donovan, Michael Malone  Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan directs his team against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images   Conflicting reports have linked North Carolina’s coaching search to Billy Donovan and Michael Malone.  The Field of 68 reported Sunday that the Tar Heels were focused “solely” on Donovan, the current Chicago Bulls coach who led Florida to back-to-back national championships in 2006-07.  ESPN reported Monday, however, that North Carolina intends to hire Malone, who won an NBA championship in 2025 with the Denver Nuggets but has never been a collegiate head coach.  Donovan, 60, has been coaching in the NBA since compiling a 467-186 record with the Gators from 1996-2015.  He is 224-253 with the Bulls (29-48 this season) after going 243-157 with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20).  Malone, 54, has been working as a studio analyst for ABC/ESPN this season after being fired by the Nuggets on April 8, 2025.   He owns a career record of 510-394 as the head coach of Denver (2015-25) and the Sacramento Kings (2013-14). He was previously an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.  Malone was an assistant coach in the college ranks at Manhattan (1999-2001), Providence (1995-98) and Oakland (1994-95).  North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis after last month’s first-round loss to VCU in the NCAA Tournament.   Michigan coach Dusty May and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd are among the potential candidates who have decided to remain at their current posts.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Reports #link #UNC #search #Billy #Donovan #Michael #Malone

Deadspin | Reports link UNC search to Billy Donovan, Michael Malone
Deadspin | Reports link UNC search to Billy Donovan, Michael Malone  Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan directs his team against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images   Conflicting reports have linked North Carolina’s coaching search to Billy Donovan and Michael Malone.  The Field of 68 reported Sunday that the Tar Heels were focused “solely” on Donovan, the current Chicago Bulls coach who led Florida to back-to-back national championships in 2006-07.  ESPN reported Monday, however, that North Carolina intends to hire Malone, who won an NBA championship in 2025 with the Denver Nuggets but has never been a collegiate head coach.  Donovan, 60, has been coaching in the NBA since compiling a 467-186 record with the Gators from 1996-2015.  He is 224-253 with the Bulls (29-48 this season) after going 243-157 with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20).  Malone, 54, has been working as a studio analyst for ABC/ESPN this season after being fired by the Nuggets on April 8, 2025.   He owns a career record of 510-394 as the head coach of Denver (2015-25) and the Sacramento Kings (2013-14). He was previously an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.  Malone was an assistant coach in the college ranks at Manhattan (1999-2001), Providence (1995-98) and Oakland (1994-95).  North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis after last month’s first-round loss to VCU in the NCAA Tournament.   Michigan coach Dusty May and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd are among the potential candidates who have decided to remain at their current posts.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Reports #link #UNC #search #Billy #Donovan #Michael #MaloneApr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan directs his team against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Conflicting reports have linked North Carolina’s coaching search to Billy Donovan and Michael Malone.

The Field of 68 reported Sunday that the Tar Heels were focused “solely” on Donovan, the current Chicago Bulls coach who led Florida to back-to-back national championships in 2006-07.

ESPN reported Monday, however, that North Carolina intends to hire Malone, who won an NBA championship in 2025 with the Denver Nuggets but has never been a collegiate head coach.

Donovan, 60, has been coaching in the NBA since compiling a 467-186 record with the Gators from 1996-2015.

He is 224-253 with the Bulls (29-48 this season) after going 243-157 with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20).


Malone, 54, has been working as a studio analyst for ABC/ESPN this season after being fired by the Nuggets on April 8, 2025.

He owns a career record of 510-394 as the head coach of Denver (2015-25) and the Sacramento Kings (2013-14). He was previously an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.

Malone was an assistant coach in the college ranks at Manhattan (1999-2001), Providence (1995-98) and Oakland (1994-95).

North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis after last month’s first-round loss to VCU in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan coach Dusty May and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd are among the potential candidates who have decided to remain at their current posts.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reports #link #UNC #search #Billy #Donovan #Michael #Malone

Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan directs his team against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Conflicting reports have linked North Carolina’s coaching search to Billy Donovan and Michael Malone.

The Field of 68 reported Sunday that the Tar Heels were focused “solely” on Donovan, the current Chicago Bulls coach who led Florida to back-to-back national championships in 2006-07.

ESPN reported Monday, however, that North Carolina intends to hire Malone, who won an NBA championship in 2025 with the Denver Nuggets but has never been a collegiate head coach.

Donovan, 60, has been coaching in the NBA since compiling a 467-186 record with the Gators from 1996-2015.

He is 224-253 with the Bulls (29-48 this season) after going 243-157 with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20).

Malone, 54, has been working as a studio analyst for ABC/ESPN this season after being fired by the Nuggets on April 8, 2025.

He owns a career record of 510-394 as the head coach of Denver (2015-25) and the Sacramento Kings (2013-14). He was previously an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.

Malone was an assistant coach in the college ranks at Manhattan (1999-2001), Providence (1995-98) and Oakland (1994-95).

North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis after last month’s first-round loss to VCU in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan coach Dusty May and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd are among the potential candidates who have decided to remain at their current posts.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Reports #link #UNC #search #Billy #Donovan #Michael #Malone

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Yaxel Lendeborg needed a miracle to end up at Michigan. Now he’s everything the NBA should want <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">INDIANAPOLIS — Will Tschetter knew exactly what he was doing as No. 1 seed Michigan prepared to play Alabama in the Sweet 16. Star forward Yaxel Lendeborg had mentioned at a press conference that he was offended the Crimson Tide didn’t try to recruit him in the transfer portal after a breakout year at in-state UAB. A minor news cycle broke out over the comment, but most people probably missed that Alabama head coach Nate Oats said he <em>did</em> reach out, he just couldn’t afford him. That update didn’t fit Tschetter’s narrative, and he kept delivering his own message before tip-off.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“They didn’t recruit you,” Tschetter said to Lendeborg repeatedly in the pregame locker room. “That’s so messed up.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg came out like a man possessed. On the Wolverines’ first possession, he initiated the pick-and-roll as a ball handler, turned the corner after a screen from teammate Aday Mara, and drove hard downhill to finish through contact. A few minutes later, he ran off a screen to hit a wing three-pointer set up by point guard Elliot Cadeau. Then he took a pitch from Morez Johnson and hit a three from the top of the key after two dribbles. After consecutive rumbling transition buckets, Lendeborg drove hard again and kicked out to teammate Roddy Gayle for three.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Still, Michigan was having trouble defending Alabama’s pace-and-space attack on the other end, and trailed by two at halftime. Its season hung in the balance.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg made sure to set the tone out of the locker room. He dropped Alabama’s Amari Allen to the floor with an ankle-breaking crossover and hit a three. He grabbed a steal and threw a frozen rope outlet pass to Nimari Burnett for the dunk. He got a putback on the offensive glass, threw an assist to a cutting Gayle for a dunk, and hit a step-back three.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Michigan survived, and its dream season was still going. As the Wolverines were making their way through the tunnel at the United Center in Chicago, Mara had some more words of motivation for his teammate.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“Dominican ‘Bron! Dominican ‘Bron,” Mara yelled as he patted Lendeborg on the head and shoulders.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Mara put it even more succinctly when asked about the impact of his star teammate.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“We have an NBA player playing for us in college,” Mara said.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/1105461/march-madness-top-50-players-2026-mens-ncaa-tournament">Lendeborg was the best player in men’s college basketball all season long outside of Duke freshman superstar Cameron Boozer</a>, and he has proven it during this tournament run. Dominating Alabama for 23 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists was par for the course. He also dropped 25 points and six rebounds in the round of 32 win over Saint Louis, and 27 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in an Elite Eight rout of Tennessee to bring Michigan to its first Final Four since 2018.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Wolverines have three NBA first-round picks in the front court, but Lendeborg is the player that makes it all work. A year ago, he was a hybrid center at UAB who played with the ball in his hands all the time. At Michigan, he’s transitioned to a wing who has to play on the perimeter to maximize Michigan’s two other star bigs in the lineup in Mara and Johnson. Lendeborg’s versatility is why the Wolverines don’t just get away with a three big look, they thrive with it.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Michigan is playing UConn in the national championship game on Monday. Lendeborg’s injury status hangs over what should be a coronation for the Wolverines. He suffered an MCL sprain in the Final Four blowout of Arizona. He’s going to play through it despite acknowledging that certain people in his circle wish he didn’t with the NBA waiting.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg is the most unique player in college basketball: a hulking 6’9, 235-pound forward blessed with the length of an NBA center with a 7’4 wingspan, but the ability to play all over the floor on both ends. That’s just the start of it. The Michigan star is in his sixth season of college basketball after a wild journey to get here. He’ll turn 24 years old shortly after he’s drafted in June, but his development arc is unlike anything the sport has seen in recent memory.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg’s career could have fallen apart so many times before he ever got to Ann Arbor. Somehow, he ended up exactly where he needed to be.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.499815" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMDk3NzM="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="2699" data-pswp-width="4048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269863204.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 04: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">Getty Images</cite></p></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg always had the genes to be a star athlete. His father and mother both played for the Dominican Republic national basketball team. His mother also played for the country’s volleyball team, and she was playing both sports when she got pregnant with him.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Still, Lendeborg was consistently kept off the court because of his bad grades. He was cut from his middle school team, and didn’t make the freshman team at Pennsauken High School after the family moved to New Jersey because he couldn’t keep up academically. He barely played organized high school basketball at all, and was mostly concerned with playing video games all day, every day.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg’s family helped get him a spot at a showcase for Dominican players at the end of high school, and that gave him the lifeline he needed to get back on track. Coaches at Arizona Western Junior College saw a clip of him on social media, and extended their final open scholarship to him just to get another big body on the roster. Lendeborg didn’t want to leave home to go to the desert across the country, but his parents made him do it.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Basketball was finally Lendeborg’s primary focus, and his game exploded. His physical gifts were overwhelming at the junior college level, and his skill set was quickly catching up to his tools. After winning his second ACCAC Player of the Year award, he had offers from the likes of St. John’s and Houston, but he chose to go to UAB after making a strong connection with head coach Andy Kennedy.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In his first year, Lendeborg won AAC Defensive Player of the Year and AAC tournament MVP. The next year, Lendeborg led the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks to establish himself as the best mid-major player in the country. The NBA was interested, but after going through the combine, he decided one more year of college (and a huge NIL paycheck) from Michigan couldn’t hurt.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg might have been a first-round pick in the 2025 draft if he turned pro. When did he know he would instead go to Michigan?</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“I would say honestly it was like right after the combine,” Lendeborg told SB Nation after the Sweet 16 win. “Because I talked to a lot of the NBA guys and pretty much nobody said anything was going to be wrong with my age.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Michigan had commitments from Aday Mara and Morez Johnson, making for a crowded front court. Could all three really start together? Lendeborg embraced the three big look, because he thought a move to the wing would only make him more appealing to the NBA even if it meant sacrificing some usage and scoring numbers.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“(The NBA) wanted to see a lot more three-pointers and a lot more versatility in my defense,” Lendeborg told SB Nation. “I tried to be more of three, because in the NBA, I’m not gonna be the superstar. I’m gonna be playing next to somebody like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he doesn’t need me to score for him. He needs me to get stops. I just tried to figure out my role and do whatever I can do to get there.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg probably would have been a high-usage primary scoring option anywhere else in the country. At Michigan, he would be playing more off the ball for the first time in his life. It was a work in progress at some of those late summer practices when the team finally got together.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“At first it was more so like, where do I need to be so the rest of the guys can be successful,” Lendeborg said. “Last year it was just me going low post, catching and making a move. It’s completely different this year. I’m just trying to give space to the ball, move when the ball’s moving away. For me, it’s just working to help my teammates.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.5" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMDk3OTM="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="2588" data-pswp-width="3882" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="BUFFALO, NEW YORK - MARCH 21: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines talks with teammates Morez Johnson Jr. #21, Aday Mara #15 and Elliot Cadeau #3 against the Saint Louis Billikens during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2267699736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">BUFFALO, NEW YORK – MARCH 21: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines talks with teammates Morez Johnson Jr. #21, Aday Mara #15 and Elliot Cadeau #3 against the Saint Louis Billikens during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">Getty Images</cite></p></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Michigan started the year at No. 7 in the preseason AP Poll. It needed overtime to beat a bad Wake Forest team in the second game of the season. TCU took them down to the wire in their third game. The learning curve with team mostly built through the transfer portal was real.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Things clicked when the Wolverines went to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival starting on Nov. 24. Michigan drilled San Diego St. by 40 in its opener, then beat Auburn by 30, then beat No. 12 Gonzaga by 40. Suddenly, there started to be some hype that this could be all-time great team.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I asked starting point guard Elliot Cadeau when he knew this team would be really good.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“Once I realized that Yax could really play on the perimeter,” Cadeau said ahead of the national championship game. “Yax could play the point guard if he wanted to. That’s when I knew it would all work together.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Michigan pulverized teams all year with a historically good +39.72 net-rating. Lendeborg’s counting stats took a dip from his time at UAB, but his impact stats went through the roof. He was second in the country in RAPM at +15.2, and the gap between himself and No. 3 (Illinois’ Keaton Wagler) was the same as the gap between Wagler and the No. 23 overall player. He was second behind Boozer again in BPM with a +15.5 rating that tied Zach Edey for the fifth-highest single-season mark ever, and only trailed Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, and Sindarius Thornwell.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">He also made major improvements in the exact areas the NBA was looking for. Lendeborg improved his three-point attempts per 100 possessions from 3.2 in his final season at UAB to 8.4 at Michigan, and his percentage actually went up from 36 to 38 percent. He showed the ability to defend out on the perimeter rather than acting as the big man for the Blazers. He also significantly cut down his turnovers despite more ball handling responsibility.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It was a dream season in every way for both Lendeborg and Michigan. Now they have a chance to end it with a national championship.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg is a month older than Josh Giddey, who is in his fifth NBA season. That’s usually the type of thing that should prevent a college player from going in the lottery, but Lendeborg’s path to this point has been so unusual that it should afford him more excuses than the typical super-senior. He’s also so big, so versatile, and so skilled that his game feels like an ideal fit for the modern NBA. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1109031/nba-mock-draft-lottery-simulation-shocking-winners-final-four">He’s projected as a top-10 pick in our latest 2026 NBA mock draft</a>.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg’s personality has come under the spotlight during this tournament run, and not always in a good way according to the outside noise. He giggles at press conferences when answering tough questions. He’s a constant goof ball. It’s not often the team’s biggest star is also the class clown, but it feels that way with Lendeborg. His Michigan teammates admitted they didn’t know how it would work when they first met him, but he quickly won them over.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“The first time we played, I’m like, can he lock in?,” Burnett told me. “Then he went out and dropped like 25, and I’m like, all right, I ain’t gonna question it no more.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg’s production wasn’t actually the thing that convinced his teammates that he would be a star at Michigan. It was his lack of ego on the court despite entering the program with so much hype.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“That was the first thing that I noticed when he came in, he was like look, I’m not a get 30, get 40 type of guy,” Burnett said of Lendeborg. “I want to win and I wanna get my teammates involved. I want to pass. He literally said that.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“And so to see it throughout the course of the season that he’s always committed to doing it on both ends of the floor and it’s all about winning, it’s been a beauty to play with.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Mara again vouched for Lendeborg’s personality as a teammate.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“I think he’s an unbelievable person,” Mara told me. “He’s so unselfish. He’s funny. He’s always trying to help you.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“If he was an asshole, you could see it in his play. He’s not like that. He’s a good guy, and I’m very happy that I’m playing with him.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Lendeborg’s life was perilously close to unraveling before he ever touched a college basketball court. His rise is proof is that the basketball apparatus will always find talent through any means necessary. It’s also proof that people can change for the better with second and third chances.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Both Lendeborg’s story and game feels more fitted for Hollywood than real life. He’s one win away from the perfect ending.</p></div></div> #Yaxel #Lendeborg #needed #miracle #Michigan #hes #NBA

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IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya set to return against Rajasthan Royals, confirms bowling coach Mhambrey <div id="content-body-70830217" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya will be available for the IPL 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey confirmed on Monday.</p><p>The all-rounder sat out of MI’s previous clash against the Delhi Capitals after being unwell in the lead-up to the game.</p><p>“Hardik Pandya is available. He had a couple of nets session. He is fine. He was not injured, but was unwell. That’s the reason he was unavailable last game,” the bowling coach said during the pre-match press conference ahead of the clash.</p><p><b>RELATED | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/csk-v-rcb-chennai-super-kings-loss-raises-ruturaj-gaikwad-captaincy-doubts-ipl-2026-latest/article70829140.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">14 defeats in 22 matches: Does CSK have a captaincy conundrum or will its ethos prevail?</a></b></p><p>Hardik’s spot was taken up by Deepak Chahar, who managed to scalp the wicket of KL Rahul in the first over, although there was a big slice of luck invovled in the strangle down legside.</p><p>Despite picking two in the first six overs, the Mumbai-based franchise couldn’t prevent DC from chasing down the 163-run target with eleven balls and six wickets to spare.</p><p>Hardik struck an unbeaten 18 with the bat in MI’s first game against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium and returned figures of one for 39.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 06, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Hardik #Pandya #set #return #Rajasthan #Royals #confirms #bowling #coach #Mhambrey

Deadspin | National champion UCLA finishes at No. 1 in final poll  Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) celebrates on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images   UCLA followed up its first NCAA championship with the final No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press women’s Top 25, released Monday.  The Bruins (37-1) received all 31 first-place votes after Sunday’s 79-51 rout against South Carolina in the Women’s NCAA Tournament final.   The Gamecocks (36-4) end the season at No. 2, followed by fellow Final Four participants UConn (38-1) and Texas (35-4).   No. 19 Virginia (22-12) entered the final poll for the first time since 2011 after reaching its first Sweet 16 in 26 years. It didn’t stop the Cavaliers from firing coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton over the weekend for reasons not revealed.  The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten each had eight teams in the final Top 25. The other spots went to the ACC (five), Big 12 (three) and Big East (one).  The final AP Top 25 women’s poll of 2025-26:  1. UCLA (37-1)  2. South Carolina (36-4)  3. UConn (38-1)  4. Texas (35-4)  5. Duke (27-9)  6. TCU (32-6)  7. Michigan (28-7)  8. LSU (29-6)  9. Notre Dame (25-11)  10. Vanderbilt (29-5)   11. Louisville (29-8)  12. Oklahoma (26-8)  13. North Carolina (28-8)  14. Kentucky (25-11)  15. Minnesota (24-9)  16. Iowa (27-7)  17. Ohio State (27-8)  18. West Virginia (28-7)  19. Virginia (22-12)  20. Maryland (24-9)  21. Ole Miss (24-12)  22. Michigan State (23-9)  23. Baylor (25-9)  24. Alabama (24-11)  25. Washington (22-11)  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #National #champion #UCLA #finishes #final #pollApr 5, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) celebrates on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

UCLA followed up its first NCAA championship with the final No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press women’s Top 25, released Monday.

The Bruins (37-1) received all 31 first-place votes after Sunday’s 79-51 rout against South Carolina in the Women’s NCAA Tournament final.

The Gamecocks (36-4) end the season at No. 2, followed by fellow Final Four participants UConn (38-1) and Texas (35-4).

No. 19 Virginia (22-12) entered the final poll for the first time since 2011 after reaching its first Sweet 16 in 26 years. It didn’t stop the Cavaliers from firing coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton over the weekend for reasons not revealed.

The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten each had eight teams in the final Top 25. The other spots went to the ACC (five), Big 12 (three) and Big East (one).

The final AP Top 25 women’s poll of 2025-26:

1. UCLA (37-1)

2. South Carolina (36-4)

3. UConn (38-1)

4. Texas (35-4)

5. Duke (27-9)

6. TCU (32-6)

7. Michigan (28-7)

8. LSU (29-6)

9. Notre Dame (25-11)


10. Vanderbilt (29-5)

11. Louisville (29-8)

12. Oklahoma (26-8)

13. North Carolina (28-8)

14. Kentucky (25-11)

15. Minnesota (24-9)

16. Iowa (27-7)

17. Ohio State (27-8)

18. West Virginia (28-7)

19. Virginia (22-12)

20. Maryland (24-9)

21. Ole Miss (24-12)

22. Michigan State (23-9)

23. Baylor (25-9)

24. Alabama (24-11)

25. Washington (22-11)


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #National #champion #UCLA #finishes #final #poll">Deadspin | National champion UCLA finishes at No. 1 in final poll  Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) celebrates on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images   UCLA followed up its first NCAA championship with the final No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press women’s Top 25, released Monday.  The Bruins (37-1) received all 31 first-place votes after Sunday’s 79-51 rout against South Carolina in the Women’s NCAA Tournament final.   The Gamecocks (36-4) end the season at No. 2, followed by fellow Final Four participants UConn (38-1) and Texas (35-4).   No. 19 Virginia (22-12) entered the final poll for the first time since 2011 after reaching its first Sweet 16 in 26 years. It didn’t stop the Cavaliers from firing coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton over the weekend for reasons not revealed.  The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten each had eight teams in the final Top 25. The other spots went to the ACC (five), Big 12 (three) and Big East (one).  The final AP Top 25 women’s poll of 2025-26:  1. UCLA (37-1)  2. South Carolina (36-4)  3. UConn (38-1)  4. Texas (35-4)  5. Duke (27-9)  6. TCU (32-6)  7. Michigan (28-7)  8. LSU (29-6)  9. Notre Dame (25-11)  10. Vanderbilt (29-5)   11. Louisville (29-8)  12. Oklahoma (26-8)  13. North Carolina (28-8)  14. Kentucky (25-11)  15. Minnesota (24-9)  16. Iowa (27-7)  17. Ohio State (27-8)  18. West Virginia (28-7)  19. Virginia (22-12)  20. Maryland (24-9)  21. Ole Miss (24-12)  22. Michigan State (23-9)  23. Baylor (25-9)  24. Alabama (24-11)  25. Washington (22-11)  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #National #champion #UCLA #finishes #final #poll

Deadspin | Angels OF Mike Trout (hand) avoids serious injury  Apr 5, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) has his hand checked by trainer Mike Frostad after being hit by pitch from Seattle Mariners pitcher Casey Legumina (64) during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout is considered day-to-day after X-rays on his left hand were negative.  Trout left Sunday’s eventual 8-7 victory in extra innings against the Seattle Mariners when he was hit on the hand by a 94-mph pitch from Casey Legumina. Trout was visited by a team trainer at home plate after the eighth-inning incident and made his way to first base before leaving for a pinch runner.  “I knew it didn’t feel good when it happened and when I looked down, it was already swelled up,” Trout said. “And when I couldn’t get my (batting) glove off, (the trainer) was just like ‘Go get it looked at.'”  During Friday’s series opener against the Mariners, Trout was hit in the left shoulder by a 96-mph pitch from Seattle’s Bryan Woo.  “I think we know where they’re trying to get me out, (on) fastballs up and in,” Trout said after Sunday’s game. “It’s just frustrating. If you can’t control it up there, you shouldn’t do it. So it is what it is.”   Trout played in 130 games last season, but in the prior five seasons he played in more than 82 games just once because of an assortment of injuries.  The three-time American League MVP is a career .294 hitter with a .976 OPS over 16 seasons and 1,658 games, all with the Angels. He has two home runs this season to give him 406 in his career with 1,021 RBIs.  The Angels open a three-game home series Monday against the Atlanta Braves.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Angels #Mike #Trout #hand #avoids #injuryApr 5, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) has his hand checked by trainer Mike Frostad after being hit by pitch from Seattle Mariners pitcher Casey Legumina (64) during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout is considered day-to-day after X-rays on his left hand were negative.

Trout left Sunday’s eventual 8-7 victory in extra innings against the Seattle Mariners when he was hit on the hand by a 94-mph pitch from Casey Legumina. Trout was visited by a team trainer at home plate after the eighth-inning incident and made his way to first base before leaving for a pinch runner.

“I knew it didn’t feel good when it happened and when I looked down, it was already swelled up,” Trout said. “And when I couldn’t get my (batting) glove off, (the trainer) was just like ‘Go get it looked at.'”

During Friday’s series opener against the Mariners, Trout was hit in the left shoulder by a 96-mph pitch from Seattle’s Bryan Woo.


“I think we know where they’re trying to get me out, (on) fastballs up and in,” Trout said after Sunday’s game. “It’s just frustrating. If you can’t control it up there, you shouldn’t do it. So it is what it is.”

Trout played in 130 games last season, but in the prior five seasons he played in more than 82 games just once because of an assortment of injuries.

The three-time American League MVP is a career .294 hitter with a .976 OPS over 16 seasons and 1,658 games, all with the Angels. He has two home runs this season to give him 406 in his career with 1,021 RBIs.

The Angels open a three-game home series Monday against the Atlanta Braves.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Angels #Mike #Trout #hand #avoids #injury">Deadspin | Angels OF Mike Trout (hand) avoids serious injury  Apr 5, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) has his hand checked by trainer Mike Frostad after being hit by pitch from Seattle Mariners pitcher Casey Legumina (64) during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout is considered day-to-day after X-rays on his left hand were negative.  Trout left Sunday’s eventual 8-7 victory in extra innings against the Seattle Mariners when he was hit on the hand by a 94-mph pitch from Casey Legumina. Trout was visited by a team trainer at home plate after the eighth-inning incident and made his way to first base before leaving for a pinch runner.  “I knew it didn’t feel good when it happened and when I looked down, it was already swelled up,” Trout said. “And when I couldn’t get my (batting) glove off, (the trainer) was just like ‘Go get it looked at.'”  During Friday’s series opener against the Mariners, Trout was hit in the left shoulder by a 96-mph pitch from Seattle’s Bryan Woo.  “I think we know where they’re trying to get me out, (on) fastballs up and in,” Trout said after Sunday’s game. “It’s just frustrating. If you can’t control it up there, you shouldn’t do it. So it is what it is.”   Trout played in 130 games last season, but in the prior five seasons he played in more than 82 games just once because of an assortment of injuries.  The three-time American League MVP is a career .294 hitter with a .976 OPS over 16 seasons and 1,658 games, all with the Angels. He has two home runs this season to give him 406 in his career with 1,021 RBIs.  The Angels open a three-game home series Monday against the Atlanta Braves.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Angels #Mike #Trout #hand #avoids #injury

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