Yaxel Lendeborg is a tough, versatile, right-handed forward who will be 24 years old when the NBA season starts. Lendeborg averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocked shots per game while shooting 37.2% from three-point range and 82.4% from the free throw line. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus All-America. At 6'9" with a 7'3.25" wingspan and 241 pounds, Lendeborg brings major positional flexibility. He has great size advantages as a small forward, is slightly longer than the average power forward, and is long enough and tough enough to hold his own at center in certain situations. Lendeborg was a huge reason why Michigan won the NCAA Championship. Lendeborg led the Big Ten and finished second in the entire NCAA in box score plus/minus. His 3.07-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio was ridiculously good for a forward. He processes quickly, makes the necessary passes that benefit the team, and has enough ball-handling ability to go coast-to-coast. He also runs the floor relentlessly and competes hard. Defensively, Lendeborg’s DDiff was plus 0.9. That number is positive, though not as loud as some of his overall impact metrics. He showed toughness by playing through injuries, and his strength allowed him to bully defenders at the college level. Lendeborg does not have good foot speed or much leaping ability. His max vertical was just 32", making it clear he wins more with strength, feel, toughness, and processing speed than with explosive athleticism. Even with the athletic limitations, we believe Lendeborg can step in from day one and become a mid-tier NBA starter. His size, toughness, passing, shooting touch, processing speed, competitiveness, and winning production give him one of the cleaner NBA translations among older prospects in this draft.
