College star Yaxel Lendeborg talks about the nerves leading up to the 2026 NBA Draft. He credits an extra year to prepare mentally and says competing against projected NBA talent like Cameron Boozer and Keon Wilder proved he belongs at the professional level.
Yeah, new levels. Go.
Lendeborg for a crunch. Speed Lendeborg for a right-hand hammer. Yax with a big jolt.
I'm very nervous. You know, a big reason why I came back was because I didn't feel like I was ready to go to the NBA. So having this year to, you know, just mentally prepare has been great for me. It's gonna be a big deal, you know, but I'm excited for it, honestly, nothing to say less. But, you know, I'm super grateful.
No one could ride with me, no one could ride with me. Lendeborg pops up a 3, knocks it down.
Just being able to play against the guys that I played against this year, it's like many of them were going to be NBA talents, you know. I played against Cameron Boozer and it's like, you know, I actually played fairly well against those guys, you know. So that was fun. Keon Wilder, he's projected in the lottery as well. Nate Ahmed, you know. So just being able to compete against those guys that are getting NBA looks has been Great for my mindset as well. I definitely have the confidence to feel like I would be able to do fairly well in the league.
Should never have died on me. Should never have died on me. The board drives in and he hammers it down. A one-hit tomahawk.
When it's draft night, I always call Jaxel and I say, "Jaxel, do you see the draft?" And he say, "Yes, you're gonna be next. You're gonna be next." And now it's Jaxel's turn, so I'm gonna be so happy and cry a lot. Yeah.
I know if I hug her, I'm definitely gonna cry, so I might just like give her a high five or something, man. But I can't even imagine, you know. I feel like as soon as my name gets called, I'm gonna just break down and cry, man. I'm so proud of you.
Yaxel Lendeborg comments on ‘unique' path to NBA Draft after Warriors visit | NBC Sports Bay Area
