Golden State Warriors select Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA draft

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The Golden State Warriors chosen Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick on Tuesday in the NBA Draft. Lendeborg averaged 15.1 factors, 6.8 rebounds and three.2 assists for the nationwide champion Michigan Wolverines.

He’s a great athlete, as he is fluid and performs with energy. Lendeborg carries his 235-pound body nicely whereas additionally having the ability to transfer laterally, and he has some elevate vertically off one and two toes, though he isn’t overly twitchy. More of an influence athlete than a fast one. Very a lot appears to be like the a part of an NBA participant.

He’s additionally a prime defensive prospect: a multi-time defensive award winner in school, he did a tremendous job this season of rounding out his defensive sport and turning into a extra versatile chess piece on protection. Michigan had no concern utilizing him throughout the positional spectrum to protect one by means of 5. At occasions, he would stress level guards 60 toes away from the rim whereas they introduced the ball up the courtroom. At different occasions, he would slide down and guard on the block. NBA teaching staffs will likely be excited to plot other ways to make use of Lendeborg on that finish, as he appeared to embrace turning right into a defensive stopper.

Lendeborg profiles quite a bit higher in an off-ball position than a main position as there is not numerous craft or nuance to his gathers or ballhandling. He’s a strong participant and has the instruments to be an influence participant even at the NBA degree, given his power, size and capturing capability. It’s all fairly easy and primarily based on energy in a approach that I’m undecided will translate to separating commonly from his man in the NBA, except a teammate or a ball display creates a bonus for him.

Sam Vecenie’s draft information abstract

There are some limitations with Lendeborg as a real creator, nevertheless it’s exhausting to discover a participant extra ready-made to step into an NBA rotation. He’s a monster defender with authentic plus-plus instruments in phrases of dimension and size at 6 toes 9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and the fluidity to slip his toes laterally. I’d guess on him maxing out just under the degree of All-Defense, however I do not assume I can fully rule it out if he actually decides he needs to be a stopper.

Then on offense, he has a really versatile talent set that ought to translate exceedingly nicely towards enjoying off different stars. I cherished the approach he slotted into the workforce idea this 12 months at Michigan and did not do issues about himself. At occasions, I’m undecided Lendeborg actually understands how full his sport is and the way gifted he’s. But with regards to slotting into a task in the NBA and enjoying off superstars, that is not at all times a nasty factor.

There’s an opportunity he finally ends up peaking as a top-50 or so participant in the league due to his two-way play. And the better part is that the workforce that selects him will get vital worth on his rookie-scale deal due to how prepared he’s to enter the NBA.

My concept right here is mainly, “What if you made Rui Hachimura a terrific defender who could also pass?” Or, what if Lendeborg is only a slight step under OG Anunoby? That’s an superior participant, and one whom each workforce goes to need, even when he is virtually 24 years outdated.

John Hollinger’s evaluation

An athletic ahead whose profession trajectory probably will land someplace between James Johnson and Jalen Johnson, Lendeborg is a draft anomaly as an historical 23-year-old who nonetheless was so good that he needs to be a top-10 pick.

Lendeborg was arguably the greatest participant in school basketball whereas main Michigan to a nationwide title, and numerous what he did greatest ought to translate immediately. He is a Day 1 defensive stopper who will probably be assigned to protect a few of the greatest gamers in the league instantly. He can defend one by means of 5 and, when he isn’t beginning, he may need numerous use as a junk-ball middle with second items.

Lendeborg is a unbelievable rebounder who pushes his personal rebounds in transition and creates havoc at the different finish due to it. He makes good passes on the transfer and might deal with the ball, and if you happen to do not cease him, he will put you on a poster. Just take a look at his annihilation dunk towards Saint Louis in the second spherical of the NCAA Tournament if you happen to do not imagine me; he ought to get drafted on that play alone.

Lendeborg’s greatest weak spot is an iffy 3-point shot and a restricted one-on-one sport in the half courtroom, however he’s so good in so many different areas that he’ll assist a workforce even when he shoots 30 % from 3. He is likely to be fairly a bit higher, really; he improved to 37.2 % from 3 final season on pretty vital quantity and made 80.5 % from the line.

David Aldridge’s draft confidential

College assistant coach No. 3 (his workforce performed Michigan): I believed he saved the greatest (opposing) participant, so I love him for that. I’ve saved level guards, I’ve saved threes. You might swap with him. I believe he is a extremely good participant. When he wasn’t banged up, down the stretch, he made 3s after they actually wanted him, and made his free throws when he wanted them. I like him as a result of he takes the problem. But, he talks an excessive amount of. But, he is an actual expertise.

Western Conference scout No. 1: The greatest participant (at the Nike Academy final August) was Lendeborg. Could actually play each factor of the sport: transfer the ball, rebound the ball, shoot the ball, deal with the ball. There wasn’t something he could not do. Yaxel’s greatest problem is he would not have a star’s mentality. He’s the man who relentlessly and ritualistically is seeking to make the proper play. Whereas, your star participant has to generally say, ‘You know, it is the proper play for me to swing it to that man, however I’m higher than him; I’m gonna take it.’ That’s what your star has to do. Yaxel’s simply not that man. He’ll go the ball to the 32 % shooter and encourage him to throw up a shot, when Yaxel shoots (37) % from 3.

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