Yaxel Lendeborg Selected 11th Overall by Golden State Warriors in 2026 NBA Draft

Yaxel Lendeborg, the University of Michigan star and South Jersey native, was selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, 2026. The 23-year-old concluded a remarkable college career that included winning the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship with Michigan, the program's first title since 1989.

Lendeborg's journey to the NBA showcased exceptional growth across multiple levels of competition. At UAB in the 2024-25 season, he delivered one of the most dominant single-game performances in college basketball history during the AAC Tournament in March 2025, recording 30 points, 20 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 blocks, and 4 steals without a turnover in a 94-77 victory. Following this standout season, he transferred to Michigan for the 2025-26 season, where he led the Wolverines in scoring with 15.6 points per game while shooting 37 percent from three-point range and averaging 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals across 40 games, including 39 starts.

His performance at Michigan earned him Big Ten Player of the Year honors, consensus First-Team All-American recognition, and a spot on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team. In the NCAA tournament, Lendeborg became the first Michigan player since Juwan Howard in 1994 to score at least 20 points in three consecutive tournament games, earning Midwest Region MVP recognition and helping the Wolverines defeat UConn for the championship.

Lendeborg's draft selection made him the second Michigan player to be selected in the lottery, following teammate Morez Johnson Jr., who was taken ninth overall by the Dallas Mavericks. At 23 years old, Lendeborg's age has been noted as a potential concern by some scouts, though Michigan coach Dusty May believes the prospect still has "a couple more jumps to make." Despite an unconventional path—playing organized basketball only since his senior year of high school and progressing through junior college at Arizona Western—Lendeborg has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and versatility on both ends of the floor.

Upon being drafted, an emotional Lendeborg expressed humility about his achievement, stating, "I don't deserve to be here right now. I can't believe it." His ability to fill the stat sheet without demanding offensive touches, combined with his defensive switchability and 7-foot-3-plus wingspan, positions him as a potential plug-and-play contributor for the Warriors. Coach Dusty May characterized Lendeborg as a player capable of helping a playoff team win today, noting that while he may not be a primary scorer, his versatility and willingness to contribute in multiple ways make him valuable at the professional level.