Yaxel Lendeborg comments on ‘unique' path to NBA Draft after Warriors visit | NBC Sports Bay Area

Hey, over here. Joe Zdiagos, Mercury News. Just wondering, what are you hoping to show the Warriors coaching staff today?

More so like my versatility, you know, I can bring a lot of different things to the game and, you know, just being able to play multiple positions for these guys and do whatever I'm needed to do, you know, to win. So.

How do you see your skill? How would you see your skill set possibly fitting into this team as a passer?

I think it fits perfectly. You know, they do a lot of like off-ball moving sets. a lot of action to get Steph open, you know, and playing off his gravity will make it a lot easier for me to make reads and for the other guys to get open as well. So I think it'll be perfect.

What has this pre-draft process been like for you in terms of where you've gone, some of the workouts you've done so far?

Man, it's been, it's been very, very tough, you know, not, not many days for breaks or rest. You know, I don't think I've gotten a day off yet, but, you know, it's very fun. You get to learn a lot of new things, meet a lot of new people and just learn, you know, Pretty much the way you're going to be living next year, you know? So it's all a learning point for me and a lot of, you know, good points, bad points still, but a lot of learning.

And just to be clear, did you already go through your workout here today or is that to come?

Yeah, I just finished like 2 minutes ago.

How did it go? And what are some of the things they had you do?

It was fun.

It was really, really competitive. The guys there really, really played hard. It was a lot of, you know, like just playing off of actions, moving, you know, a lot of 3-on-3, 1-on-1 stuff like that. So, I mean, it was very competitive, very fun.

A lot of people call you a plug-and-play type of prospect. Where do you think you can make the biggest impact from day one as a rookie?

Oh, I would say, you know, like, like 5 assists a game, maybe to start off, you know, just a lot of, you know, defense, fast break kind of bucket opportunities for me. And depending on if I'm here or anywhere else, my role would be a lot different. But if I was here, I would be more like a, you know, secondary ball handler. Whenever Steph is getting taken out the game, I'll be there to assist, you know, maybe provide a little bit more offense or instant offense in a way.

You have kind of a unique journey to this point, obviously. How do you think that it's helped prepare you to this moment?

Well, just, just my toughness, mental toughness as well. You know, it's been a very long, long journey for me as far as, you know, just being willing and able to play as hard as I do now. And, you know, thinking that I belong on the court with some of these guys. So I feel like every, every game I get, I have to, you know, showcase my, my skillset, show that I do belong and, you know, continue to just prove that I'm better than what I was before.

You have a winning pedigree after winning that championship with Michigan. How do you feel like that's also going to help you in your career, especially in your rookie year?

You know, a lot of people like winners, you know, so me being in a position that I was this past year, you know, it just showcased that me, I'm willing to put aside any stat or anything about myself, you know, to win. Same thing, you know, so I mean, being in a winning culture, winning program shows you a lot of different things that you have to do, not just as far as sacrifices, but just as far as like everyday living to bring a spark and bring kind of good energy to the squad.

Going off that, obviously you're an older prospect. I'm sure you've heard a lot about that narrative, but being a guy who won a lot in college and looking at guys like, you know, Brunson and Hart who are now on the cusp of a title and, you know, won as well in college, does that help you at all knowing that it's possible and there's a path to, you know, clearly being an older prospect and having that success in the league?

Yeah, absolutely. You know, if you can play, you can play, you know, a lot of these younger prospects just been in the spotlight a little bit, you know, longer than I was, been playing since they were younger. So, I mean, Everybody's path is different, you know, and every time I get on the court, I'm gonna showcase that, you know. So whether it's a guy that's 30 or a guy that's 18, I'm gonna go out there and show who's better.

Just going back to the, the pre-draft process here. I mean, obviously fans and media love all the mock drafts and things. Is that something that ever comes into your radar, these mock drafts, when you see that a team like Golden State might be interested, or do you try and put all that aside?

Yeah, I kind of get tagged in those mock drafts every single day, so I can't stay away from it no matter what, you know. And in a way, it kind of makes me envision myself of playing on like a team like this, the Thunder, the Heat, you know, Charlotte, all those teams that I'm getting mocked to go to. So, I mean, it kind of gives me something to get like attached to. So I can't get too attached though, 'cause maybe on draft night I don't get picked by either of them, I'm gonna be upset, you know, but either way it is nice to see that. And, you know, it's a blessing to be a part of it.

So. What is the biggest thing you wanted to get across in the interview itself?

Biggest thing, I'll probably just say like, you know, just my personality, how I am. I'm a very real, honest guy and a guy who likes to goofing off a lot. So, you know, just showing my authentic self is something I always want to showcase.

A lot of guys get, even after they made the team, they sit there and they start talking about what it would be like to play with Steph and to be around him. For you, having watched him growing up, what would that be like if everything falls and you get drafted here?

Man, it'll be amazing. You know, he provides so much gravity on the court that it really makes it super easy for other guys to score, other guys to just, you know, showcase any ability that they have. So, you know, I've been having so many arguments going against Steph when I was younger with my best friend. And now, like, if I would be able to play with him, it'll be, it'll be kind of funny being on the other end, but I'll be very excited to get the opportunity. You know, he's a great player, great, great human being as well. I got to meet him about like twice. So it's really nice. And I feel like I would learn a lot playing with him as well.

When did you meet Steph those couple of times?

Well, today.

And then I met him when they played against the Clippers in the playing game. So those 2 times it was quick, brief conversations, but you can just tell he's a genuine human being and actually cares for like the younger guys.

We talked a little bit about how you were a little bit later to basketball. Given that, like, how much more upside do you think you have to grow into even though you're an older prospect?

Yeah, I think I have just as much as anybody else in this draft. I really don't like the word upside in a way because it's basically just like, oh, this guy can be better or will he be better? It's like, if you're better now, you can continue to try to get better every single day, but As far as upside, if we want to use that word, I think I have the same amount as everybody.

Yeah.

What is something you would like to improve upon once, once you hit the NBA? What's something you would like to get better at?

I would like, you know, my defensive versatility for sure. You know, I got to get a lot more fluid in my, um, like, you know, my change of pace. Um, and just like my stance got to be a lot more stronger, base wider, stuff like that, you know. So I mean, that's my main key. And then second would be just a consistent 3-point shot. You know, I came a long way. As far as last 3 years of shooting the ball, so hopefully I can keep improving.

Whose game do you maybe compare yourself to or watch as you go through this process?

I have 3 to 4 people.

One is Paolo.

I've always tried to, you know, mimic his game. Naz Reid as well. In a way, I try to mimic some of LeBron's drives, you know, how physical he is and how he uses his body, when to use it, stuff like that.

And somebody I still watch to this day, like just highlights, it's Magic Johnson. But Yeah, those guys are—

I learned every, like, a lot of different things, like little pieces from each player.

Do you like the Dominican LeBron nickname?

I do. Yeah, I really do. I really do. Yeah, it was, it was really fun being able to, uh, try to, you know, keep that, like, legacy in a way. Um, but yeah, it was very fun to have that.

Yeah.

And just your versatility has stood out obviously throughout your college career. What position do you maybe feel the most comfortable at?

I would say small forward.

Um, it obviously— I have to get my 3-point shot way more consistent because the small forwards in this league are Very lethal. So once I get that down, I think I'll be perfectly fit into my fort.

To Dalton's point, you've been actually comped to Draymond Green in a lot of ways. Do you see similarities in your games with him, and how would you kind of see you fitting next to him if you were to come to the Warriors?

Yeah, I do see some similarities. He's a, you know, a win guy, win, win, win-all guy, you can say. And he's a connector for his squad, you know, he makes the right read majority of the time. He plays super hard on defense, willing to take on the best player on the other squad. So I definitely feel like I have a lot of similarities just as far as that. And like, if I play alongside him again, just a lot of learning, you know, he's won many rings, you know, he's been in many, many tough situations where he has to step up his game and it'll be a very, very like good vet to have by your side.

Can a Michigan and Michigan State guy go?

You know, I don't think so. I don't know if he was too fond of me this year 'cause we beat Michigan State twice, but it would be nice to see if we could, Do we have any questions on Zoom?

Yes.

Yeah, Yaxel, I was curious about, you know, you mentioned a number of workouts as far as it feels like it's been every day for you. Who have you worked out for so far besides obviously Golden State today?

I worked out for Oklahoma, Miami, Chicago, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Dallas, and then the Warriors.

Okay.

Who do you have left? You got any more left?

I have the Clippers and the Hawks and I'm done.

Quick follow-up. What was interesting about these workouts is you run into faces that you've seen before, you know, like maybe you played against in college. Obviously today you saw some familiar faces. What was that like seeing guys that you competed against and now you're in a workout with them, in essence competing to, you know, get the attention of teams?

Yeah, it's fun. It's fun being able to compete with such high-level guys, you know. I try not to like keep the hatred that I had for those guys that I played against during the season, but it's really nice, you know, being able to switch it and learn about those other guys and, you know, just go out there and compete. So it was very, very nice.

Thank you, sir.

Yes, sir.

Last time we saw you play Final Four championship, you were dealing with an injury.

I have a question.

One second, Jake.

How tough was that and how long did it take you to get fully healthy?

Man, it was, it was very, very tough mentally.

When it happened, I went into the tent and I was crying for a good 5 to 10 minutes, you know, just trying to Just trying to say to myself that it's not over. It felt like it was, so I was very, very emotional about it.

Um, but the next day I felt very, very bad, man.

Um, when I played, I felt like 40, 50% maybe at most. Um, but it was very, very tough mentally.

And then the last one from Jake Singer.

Hey, Yaxel.

Hello.

Coming off the national championship, you— it was a very quick turnaround to go right into the NBA draft process given how long you guys have played for. Have you been able to to enjoy the championship with your teammates and really soak that in yet? Or is that going to happen after the NBA draft when you finally have a few months to decompress?

Man, when we won the championship, it didn't feel real for a good, like, month maybe. So our celebration was kind of the parade and the ceremony we had with some of the fans. So, I mean, I would count that celebrating in a way. We didn't really milk it like I've seen many people do it, but it was very fun. Very, very fun. We had a lot of good conversations about the season, you know, memories, spoke a lot about what we saw, what we did. But I think next year we're going to have the ring ceremony, the banner ceremony. And I think that's when we'll like truly get to celebrate it.