Yaxel Lendeborg, the rookie from the Warriors who is charming in the Summer League
Golden State needs their draft picks to work out in order to have a chance to keep competing with Stephen Curry.
Yaxel Lendeborg wasted no time in making his first great impression wearing the Golden State Warriors jersey. The number 11 pick of the 2026 Draft had a remarkable debut at the California Classic, leaving a very positive impression in the victory against the Los Angeles Lakers and demonstrating why the franchise believes in his potential.
The power forward needed only 22 minutes to score 19 points, delivering an impeccable performance at the Chase Center. He didn't miss any of his shots, going a perfect 6 for 6 from the field and an impressive 4 for 4 from the three-point line. Additionally, he completed his display with five rebounds, a steal, and a block, giving a glimpse of the versatility he can bring to the NBA.
The Warriors' Summer League coach, Khalid Robinson, precisely highlighted that ability to impact multiple aspects of the game.
"We wanted him to play with a lot of strength and physicality, which was one of the aspects we had emphasized all week. He showed a bit of everything: shot very well, started the game with confidence, made good passes, generated plays, and also contributed on defense," explained the coach.
Beyond his scoring accuracy, one of the aspects that stood out was his ability to create plays, a quality that Lendeborg himself considers underrated.
"I would say my passing ability is a bit underrated. I've always had a good assist-to-turnover ratio. Perhaps today's game doesn't fully reflect it, but I believe it's one of my strengths," commented the rookie.
Lendeborg also explained how his game has evolved since he started playing basketball.
"When I started playing, I was simply a passionate rebounder. That was always one of my strengths, but over the last two or three years, I've become more of a scorer. Everything has been changing, and I try to be as versatile as possible."
Self-Critical Despite Lendeborg's Brilliant Debut
Despite delivering an almost perfect performance, the forward was not completely satisfied. His level of demand was evident when analyzing his work under the boards.
"Today, I gave away too many rebounds. I have to review the video because I wasn't physical enough. I need to get used to the level of contact here. I think I could have grabbed four or five more rebounds."
That self-criticism was one of the aspects highly valued within the organization, convinced that his room for growth is still very wide.
Immediate Affection from the Warriors' Fans
Lendeborg's performance also won over the Chase Center crowd. At the end of the game, numerous fans waited near the locker room tunnel to congratulate the player and ask for autographs, a reception that the rookie acknowledged particularly enjoying.
"It was wonderful. I appreciated it very much. Throughout the game, I heard people chanting my name, telling me I did a good job, and that they were happy to have me here. I tried to greet as many people as possible."
The player confessed that this connection with the fans made him feel part of the team from day one.
"Although it was only the first game, I really felt like I belong here. You can tell this fan base loves Warriors basketball, and I already appreciate them a lot. I'm very excited about what's coming this season and will try to acknowledge all the fans I can after each game, until security escorts me out."
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