What started with a phone call and a decision by his mother to send him to Arizona Western College, ended with being selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2026 NBA draft on Tuesday evening. Yaxel Lendeborg's winding journey to the NBA is now complete.

"What an incredible day for Yaxel and everyone who has been part of his journey," Arizona Western head men's basketball coach Kyle Isaacs said.  "From Arizona Western to the highest level of basketball, he has earned every bit of this moment."

Lendeborg became the second former Matador to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft. Only Rafael Araújo was selected higher when he was chosen 8th overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2004. Lendeborg was also the only player drafted in the first round who played junior college basketball. Lendeborg spent three years at Arizona Western before moving on to the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) for two years. At UAB Lendeborg started to create some draft buzz as a potential late first round selection.

"During his true senior season at UAB, we started getting phone calls from numerous teams," Isaacs said. "Then he decided to go to take advantage of that year at the University of Michigan. It's been kind of crazy ever since then. So, yeah, the NBA has been on the radar for him for quite some time."

During his lone season with Michigan, Yaxel helped guide the Wolverines to their second national championship and first since 1989. Playing for Michigan improved Lendeborg's game and further raised his draft stock. 

"He bet on himself, stayed the course, and continued to grow," Isaacs said. "Congratulations on being drafted by the Golden State Warriors. We are excited for what lies ahead."

Lendeborg will now play with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and the rest of the Warriors and brings youth to an aging team of stars, hoping for one more deep run in the playoffs before father time catches up with the Warriors core players.