There are various ways that you can get involved in supporting student athletes — via different collectives and donations. But there are other ways you can support them indirectly, more in the heart of what NIL was always thought to be.
Star Michigan basketball forward Yaxel Lendeborg has officially partnered with fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, CAVA, where he, as one of two student athletes, has a dish you can order a dish he’s inspired, as well as get exclusive Lendeborg content.
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Via the press release:
CAVA, the category-defining Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand, has launched “Road to the Big Chip,” a new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) campaign activating this March with men’s and women’s college basketball stars. The initiative blends athlete-driven storytelling, in-restaurant fan experiences, and digital content to connect CAVA’s vibrant brand culture with college basketball at its peak.
The campaign features two standout college basketball talents: NCAA® women’s basketball champion Azzi Fudd of the University of Connecticut and 2026 B1G® Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg of the University of Michigan. Inspired by CAVA’s iconic pita chips, “Road to the Big Chip” spotlights key moments along each athlete’s journey to their ultimate goal, through original content, lifestyle storytelling, and community-driven activations.
Throughout March, the campaign will unfold across social media, in-restaurant events, paid and organic content rollouts, and exclusive athlete-inspired digital menu offerings available nationwide.
The campaign officially tips off ahead of the college basketball post season and runs through its conclusion, with activations strategically timed to maximize visibility during key March moments.
Lendeborg appeared at CAVA in Canton on March 1 to kick off the partnership. Yaxel’s Game Day Bowl features “brown rice and super greens with grilled steak, fiery broccoli, fire-roasted corn, crumbled feta, avocado, double tzatziki, and balsamic date vinaigrette.”
“I’m excited to partner with CAVA because the flavors are great,” Lendeborg said. “And it’s a meal that fuels me through training, games, and everyday life. It’s a brand that fits naturally with how I approach basketball and balance.”
CAVA has three locations in the state of Michigan, including in Canton, Novi, and Detroit.
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This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg partners with CAVA
