Yaxel Lendeborg, the Golden State Warriors' No. 11 overall pick from last month's NBA Draft, couldn't hold back the tears. He was on the team bus, rolling towards the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas for his first Summer League game, and the emotion of the moment just hit him. "I was like, 'Man, I am really about to play here , Summer League in Las Vegas,' " Lendeborg said, reflecting on his incredible journey.
From Junior College Grind to Lottery Pick
Those tears flowing freely? They tell you everything. Six years ago, Yaxel Lendeborg was grinding it out as a freshman at Arizona Western College, building a foundation at a junior college program. Now? He's a No. 11 overall lottery pick for the Warriors, fresh off leading Michigan to a national championship. The jump from the "tedium atmosphere" of Yuma, Arizona, to the vibrant lights of Las Vegas is insane. He always gets emotional reflecting on his journey, making sure to "remember my roots and all the struggles I've gone through, so I never change up." His joy at starting his NBA career is palpable, a true testament to the perspective he's gained on life.Dominating While Dealing With Lingering Injury
What makes his scorching Summer League start truly wild is how he's doing it. Lendeborg has already guided the Warriors to a perfect 2-0 start in Las Vegas. He's averaging an impressive 17.5 points on 48.1% shooting from the field, hitting 50% from behind the arc, plus six rebounds and five assists per game. Warriors forward Graham Ike called him "off the charts," adding he's "funny" and "always cracking jokes and always playing music , a lot of 90's R&B and singing," but when the game starts, "it's on." His best performance came in the opener, a 101-90 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Lendeborg dropped a massive double-double: 21 points (8-for-13 shooting, 2-for-4 from deep), 10 rebounds, and six assists. He even faced former Michigan teammate Morez Johnson Jr., who put up 27 points and eight boards for Dallas. Warriors Summer League coach Khalid Robinson praised Lendeborg's "overall skill set" and "great professional size." He's a "pick-and-roll ball handler" with the ability "to get downhill and transition with force and pace," Robinson said, calling him "very impressive" for his shooting and overall game. Here's the real kicker: Lendeborg is *still* dealing with a leg/knee injury from the NCAA Tournament. He played through it and managed it during pre-draft workouts, then took extra time off after the draft for recovery. That extra time definitely helped, even if it had a "slight impact on the Big Ten" earlier. To be putting up these numbers while recovering from a major injury? That's what makes his early performance so surprising and exciting. His official NBA debut for the 2026-27 regular season is still three months away, set for mid-October. But if this Summer League is any indication, Yaxel Lendeborg is getting a serious head start on his rookie year, showing everyone he's ready for the big stage.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.