As the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, forward Yaxel Lendeborg joins the Golden State Warriors after a sensational year at the University of Michigan.
Lendeborg was a consensus first-team All-American last season after averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.2% from the field. He was also the Big Ten Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection.
The 23-year-old shined in the postseason to lead Michigan to its second national title, becoming the first Wolverine with three straight 20-point performances in the NCAA Tournament since 1994. He was named the MVP of the Midwest region.
Along with Morez Johnson Jr. (ninth pick) and Aday Mara (12th pick), Lendeborg was among
three former Wolverines drafted in the first round this year. It marked just the second time in program history that Michigan had three first-round picks in the same draft (1990).
The 6-foot-9 Lendeborg was the MVP of summer league, leading the Warriors to their second title in Las Vegas. Recording 21 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals, Lendeborg was also the MVP of the title game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Warriors were ecstatic to add Lendeborg to the roster, with Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr both calling him a seamless fit with the team. He will have the opportunity to prove himself in training camp and could play a large role next season.
Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season
Previous: AJ Dybantsa | Darryn Peterson | Cameron Boozer | Caleb Wilson | Keaton Wagler | Mikel Brown Jr. | Darius Acuff Jr. | Kingston Flemings | Morez Johnson Jr.
Acting
Lendeborg has often said that if he wasn't playing basketball, he would have pursued a career in acting. He acted in a play in high school and even initially went to college to study the art. He loves rom-com movies and has admitted to having a "weird obsession" with the Joker from "Batman."
"I was going to go to college for acting for theater and stuff like that," Lendeborg told Bleacher Report earlier this summer. "When I actually got to college, that was my major. I kind of switched plans a little bit because of the basketball thing, but I would love to be an actor."
Basketball Family
Lendeborg is the son of Okary Lendeborg and Yissel Raposo, both of whom played for the Dominican Republic national teams, which Lendeborg will also do in the future. He has credited his mother with helping him turn his life around after struggling as a student in high school. After overcoming numerous obstacles over the years, it culminated in an incredible emotional display on draft night after the Warriors selected him.
LeBron James
Lendeborg was given the "Dominican LeBron"nickname last season by teammate LJ Cason after blocking a shot and then throwing down a dunk reminiscent of the Hall of Famer. He doesn't necessarily love it, though, largely because of the high expectations that come with such a nickname. But Lendeborg is a big fan of James and cited him as one of the players he has learned from over the years.
Kyrie Irving
Lendeborg was a big fan of Kyrie Irving growing up and was heavily invested in him during the Cleveland Cavaliers' rivalry with the Warriors in the NBA Finals. In fact, Lendeborg joked on draft night that he hated now-teammate Stephen Curry. Of course, he is excited to play with the future Hall of Famer and learn from him as he starts his career.
No. 1
Lendeborg wore No. 3 at Western Arizona College and at UAB for the first five years of his collegiate career. He switched to No. 23 last year at Michigan, and had to change again upon joining the Warriors, with No. 3 (Will Richard) and No. 23 (Draymond Green) taken. He chose No. 1 to honor a former Blazers standout, whose number is retired by the program.
"The reason I wore No. 1 is because of Aaron Johnson, somebody I met at UAB, who was really a huge part of this basketball journey for me," Lendeborg said, via the NBA on X. "He wore it at UAB, and I wanted to honor him."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 5 fun facts: Get to know Warriors' Yaxel Lendeborg before rookie season
