Yaxel Lendeborg may be old for a typical NBA rookie, but he is proving that age does not matter.
At 24, the 11th overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft out of Michigan has needed no gestation period, and the Golden State Warriors are already benefiting from his on-court production. Through his first eight games, he is averaging 21.5 points on 50.0 percent shooting, along with 2.6 three-pointers, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 31.9 minutes per game.
His age is the primary reason he was even there for the Warriors. Had he been any younger, Lendeborg would almost certainly have been in contention for a top-three pick, which is how he slid to Golden State at No. 11. The benefit of being older though is that he is already mature, both physically and mentally, and that has allowed him to contribute from the get-go. The same trait that caused him to slide in the draft has become a strength in his rookie campaign.
Lendeborg already has two 30-point games–31 points against the Denver Nuggets last week and 37 in the Warriors’ recent game against the LA Clippers–both of which were victories. Against the Clippers, he went 13-of-19 from the field, including 6-of-11 from three, with four rebounds, six assists and a steal. What’s striking is his efficiency, a sign his production is helping the team win rather than just merely padding his numbers.
The mix of Lendeborg’s 6-foot-9 frame and versatile skillset have allowed him to become a potent offensive threat. He can score from inside and out and put the ball on the floor, and he has also shown he is a capable playmaker for his teammates.
The timing of his arrival could not be better, though Golden State may argue that he could have arrived sooner.
The Warriors have now won four straight after an 0-3 start and Lendeborg’s improving play is a major reason why. He has gotten better and better as he has acclimated to the NBA, and he gives the Warriors the type of player they have long been seeking, one who can share some of the offensive load off Stephen Curry.
It is still early, but if Lendeborg keeps this up, he should be in the thick of the Rookie of the Year race. He, Cam Boozer of the Memphis Grizzlies and Caleb Wilson of the Chicago Bulls have established themselves as the early favorites through the season’s first three weeks.
The future is bright for Lendeborg. At 24 and already producing like this, he gives Golden State a potential star to help in Curry’s last few seasons and even after he retires. Teams usually avoid older rookies because of their perceived lower ceiling, but players like Lendeborg are helping to reshape that notion.
