The Warriors have used the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft to add Yaxel Lendeborg to their roster.
One of the most experienced prospects in this year’s draft class, Lendeborg will turn 24 in September before playing a single NBA game, making him older than, say, four-year NBA veteran Paolo Banchero. However, the 6’9″ forward is also one of the most accomplished and NBA-ready players in the 2026 draft.
After playing junior college ball at Arizona Western for three years from 2020-23, Lendeborg transferred to UAB for two seasons and then made the move to Michigan for his super-senior year in 2025/26. The versatile big man helped lead the Wolverines to a national title this past season by averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 30.2 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .515/.372/.824.
Lendeborg, who scored at least 23 points in three of six games during the NCAA tournament, was named the Big Ten’s Player of the Year and also made the conference’s All-Defensive team after being named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, he was a consensus first-team All-American.
There’s long been a sense that the Warriors were looking for a player who could contribute right away with the 11th pick in order to maximize the final years of Stephen Curry‘s illustrious career. That’s one reason why they were consistently linked to Lendeborg leading up to the draft.
Another is that Lendeborg fills a major positional need as a forward with the size and skills to theoretically play the three through five spots. He measured 6’9″ barefoot with a 7’3″ wingspan, dimensions that could help him play center in small-ball lineups.
Lendeborg posted an outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio (3.1-to-1) for the Wolverines. He was largely used as the small forward in a jumbo starting lineup that featured Morez Johnson (No. 9 overall pick) and Aday Mara (No. 12). The three big men nearly went in order late in the lottery.
Lendeborg made a major two-way impact in college, capably defending multiple positions, and showcased his competitiveness and toughness in leading his team to a 37-3 record. He played through a significant leg injury at the end of the NCAA tournament to help the Wolverines win the championship.
