Yaxel Lendeborg

Yaxel Lendeborg is an American-Dominican professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. Lendeborg began playing organized basketball at age 15 and progressed through multiple levels of competition to reach the NBA.

Lendeborg's college basketball career started at the junior college level, where he averaged 17.2 points and an NJCAA-leading 13.0 rebounds per game in his final season at Arizona Western. He finished his tenure as the NJCAA's all-time leading rebounder with 429 total. After transferring to UAB, Lendeborg played in 35 games, averaging 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game. He earned American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, AAC tournament MVP, and first-team All-AAC honors. In his second season with the Blazers, he started all 37 games and averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. Lendeborg became one of only two players in NCAA Division I history to record more than 600 points, 400 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single season, joining Larry Bird.

Lendeborg concluded his college career at the University of Michigan, appearing in 40 games and averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 30.2 minutes per game. In the NCAA Tournament, he was named Midwest Region MVP as Michigan advanced to the Final Four. He became the first Michigan player to score at least 20 points in three consecutive NCAA tournament games since Juwan Howard. Lendeborg was named an NCAA national champion, consensus All-American, and Big Ten Player of the Year.

The Golden State Warriors selected Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the NBA Draft. He is recognized for his two-way play, versatility, passing, defense, and ability to contribute both inside and outside. Lendeborg brings a skill set that addresses key needs for the Warriors and is positioned to make an immediate impact in professional basketball.