Warriors' Yaxel Lendeborg honors UAB teammate with new jersey number

After previously wearing Nos. 3 and 23 in college, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg will sport a new number on the court next season with the Golden State Warriors. Lendeborg wore No. 3 at Western Arizona College and at UAB for the first five years of his collegiate career. He was forced to switch to No. 23 l

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After previously wearing Nos. 3 and 23 in college, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg will sport a new number on the court next season with the Golden State Warriors.

Lendeborg wore No. 3 at Western Arizona College and at UAB for the first five years of his collegiate career. He was forced to switch to No. 23 last year at Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines to their second national title and first since 1989.

The No. 11 overall pick acknowledged on draft night that he'll once again have to change numbers, with No. 3 (Will Richard) and No. 23 (Draymond Green) occupied on the Warriors. He chose 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 last month, via the NBA on X. "He wore it at UAB, and I wanted to honor him."

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 was the MVP of summer league, leading the Warriors to their second title last month 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 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.

Note: Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA.