Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan - 2026 NBA Draft - Lottery pick

[BigGargamel]

Someone explain Yaxel to me?

Why wasn't Yaxel on the radar last year, he was a 22 year old, turns 23 at start of season 5th year player at UAB putting up great advanced stats.

Why did it take a season at Michigan to make him rise?

He was considered a fringe first rounder last year, even while playing at UAB.

Definitely has not come out of nowhere.

[tmorgan]

Sure gonna be interesting to see if the better teams with good draft choices take a swing on Lendeborg. He’s had a great tournament and continues to show a real all-around game on offense.

[Benjammin]

If Yaxel finishes the tournament the way he's playing now and he's going to measure well at the combine the age thing may not matter as much.

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[Benjammin]

Gillespie got a measure of revenge for Yaxel letting the clock run before touching the ball.

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[tmorgan]

Just trying to get this over with without anyone getting hurt.

[Caneman786]

he's going to measure well at the combine

Funny thing is we already know his measurements and test results since he went to the combine last draft cycle.

Aged 22 years, 7 months old. 2025 NBA Draft Combine.

6' 8.5" Standing height without shoes
7' 4.0" Wingspan
9' 0.5" Standing reach

9.25" Hand length
10.00" Hand width

234.6 pounds

11.68 seconds - Lane agility time
3.09 seconds - Shuttle run
3.32 seconds - Three quarter sprint
25.5 inches - Standing vertical leap
31.5 inches - Maximum vertical leap (running)

23/30 - Off-the-dribble three-point shooting
15/25 - Spot-up three-point shooting
16/25 - Star drill three-point shooting
17/28 - Side three-point shooting
10/10 - Free throws

[tontoz]

If Yaxel finishes the tournament the way he's playing now and he's going to measure well at the combine the age thing may not matter as much.

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He went to the combine last year.

6'8.5 without shoes. 9'.5" standing reach. 7'4" wingspan.

Max vert only 31.5"

[Benjammin]

I should have phrased it differently. Yes, he's already been measured and it was good. The max vertical isn't a big deal.

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[RookieStar]

If Yaxel finishes the tournament the way he's playing now and he's going to measure well at the combine the age thing may not matter as much.

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He went to the combine last year.

6'8.5 without shoes. 9'.5" standing reach. 7'4" wingspan.

Max vert only 31.5"

If he has that measurement, agents are gonna be touting him as a 6'10 PF in the league

[Caneman786]

Updated ranking history and added poll (runs for 30 days)

Ranking History:
Not in the top 15 on November 2
Ranked #14 on January 5
Ranked #10 on January 17
Ranked #8 on February 21
Ranked #10 on February 27
Ranked #10 on March 18
Ranked #10 on March 26

[tmorgan]

Gonna be real interesting. Some contender with an extra pick could take him late lottery. Or he could slide quite a bit, because he doesn’t have as much appeal to rebuilders… and the contenders know that and may try to get him later, near 20. Who knows, really.

[Benjammin]

With the likelihood of some change of the lottery rules beginning in 2027 taking an "older" player in the draft might make more sense because your chance of getting a younger player in another year is more random and would not require tanking so go ahead and take the player more ready to play some times.

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[CptCrunch]

6th year college player. 6th year in college.

Oh did I say 6th year in college. Tamper your expectations.

[Benjammin]

Obviously if you need a point guard and are looking for upside there are multiple point guards to take ahead of Yaxel. Or if you need a 2,then Burries. If you're looking for a player who can help you win games and play quality minutes right away then I don't think that is too high an expectation for Yaxel regardless of his age or number of years in college.

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[ReggiesKnicks]

If Yaxel finishes the tournament the way he's playing now and he's going to measure well at the combine the age thing may not matter as much.

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He went to the combine last year.

6'8.5 without shoes. 9'.5" standing reach. 7'4" wingspan.

Max vert only 31.5"

If he has that measurement, agents are gonna be touting him as a 6'10 PF in the league

Nah, they will tout him as a Small Forward, the most valuable position and sought after position in the NBA.

I'm not sure he has the quickness, but he appears to have most of the prerequisite skill (pass/shoot/dribble/defend) to play SF.

[tmorgan]

I don’t think any competent NBA team is going to view Yax as a three. Sure, everyone wants wings, but a highly skilled four is much more useful than a slightly slow three. He’s plenty big enough to guard 4’s.

[Benjammin]

He's long enough to play small ball 5 against some guys.

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[JMAC3]

He is going to go relatively high because teams in that range are going to value him.

8. Memphis- they like older players like Wells, Coward, Edey, Clarke
11. Warriors- Need size, probably value win now players over developmental guys
12. Portland- Need bigger forwards plus trying to win next yr
13. Heat- Always trying to win now.
16. Memphis again

I think he will go in that range to one of those teams.

[BlazersBroncos]

Portland is all in on being a treadmill 6-8 see for the foreseeable future so if we have a chance to snag Yaxel at 12 I bet we take it.

OKC should trade their 2 FRP to snag him IMO. Fit would be absurd.

[Benjammin]

Fwiw No Ceilings has Yaxel up to 10 on their big board. I think he could still move higher.

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