When the Golden State Warriors drafted Yaxel Lendeborg with the 12th overall pick, many thought taking an older player that high was a mistake. Lendeborg is 24 years old and in recent years, most lottery picks are in their early 20s or late teens.
However, Lendeborg dominated college basketball in his lone season at Michigan and showcased an all-around skillset that is perfect for the modern NBA. His game also looked like a perfect fit next to Stephen Curry, and provided Golden State with a potential cornerstone that they could build around post-Curry.
And so far, the early returns of Lendeborg have provided the Warriors with a glimmer of hope in what looks to be a lost season early on.
Yaxel Lendeborg has been nothing short of elite for Golden State and can be a future All-Star
It’s time to stop paying attention to his birth certificate and start paying attention to the elite basketball he has been playing.
Through the first four games of his NBA career, Lendeborg is averaging 22 points per game, nine rebounds, and five assists on 48 percent from the field. He is slashing to the basket with strength, he is playing with great pace, and he is making great decisions with the ball.
He is also super competitive. Seeing him take it to Luka Doncic in his first NBA game was a sight to see and while Doncic did hit that crazy halfcourt shot over him, Lendeborg did a fantastic job guarding him all night. His competitive nature fuels his game, but he just has to make sure it doesn’t cost his team.
Lendeborg has been the Warriors’ best all-around player to start the year and he looks like he has been in the league for years. Yes, he is an older rookie, but who cares? This is a guy that barely played high school basketball, starred at UAB, and then transferred to an elite program in Michigan and won a national championship. That speaks to his work ethic and also just the fact that he is such a versatile player.
He has produced at every single stop and this is no different. It is still very early in the season, but Lendeborg will almost certainly be in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Golden State has to feel good that they not only have someone that can produce next to Curry now, but that same player is someone they can build around in the future.
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