Michigan product Yaxel Lendeborg — the No. 11 overall pick in this year's Draft — came into the league as one of the most ready-made prospects in recent memory. 

At 6-foot-9 and 241 pounds, the 24-year-old arrived with the physicality and the toolbox to contribute right away and that has already become apparent in his first three games with the Golden State Warriors. 

However, the readiness certainly doesn't mean there isn't any more room for growth. After all, the jump from college to the NBA is a sizable one. Lendeborg had a decent bridge over the gap but still has some ways to go before he can be considered the finished article. 

"He's fearless, he's huge, and he has a great skill set," head coach Steve Kerr said after the Warriors' 131-122 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. "The biggest thing is just continuing to learn the NBA. He's going to feel and do that." 

Lendeborg didn't need much time to translate his offensive game to the league, though Kerr would like him to use a bit more finesse rather than sheer force at times on offense.

Still, in just the third game of his rookie campaign, he set an impressive career high of 26 points against the Suns, shooting 9-for-19 from the field (6-for-11 3PT) as the first option in the absence of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, and Brandin Podziemski. 

Lendeborg added nine rebounds, five assists, and one block, but the Warriors couldn't stave off the Suns, led by a 43-point outburst from Devin Booker. 

Golden State fell to 0-3 in the defeat, but Lendeborg has held up his end of the deal so far.  

He is averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game — arguably more than the Warriors could have asked of a first-year player this quickly — shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc. 

One thing Lendeborg doesn't have to worry about is getting the reps necessary to continue his development. 

The Warriors' depth is paper-thin as is, and with Curry, Draymond Green, and Al Horford needing to be managed more carefully due to their seniority, he will have plenty of opportunities to be the go-to guy on offense. 

Where Kerr would like to see more growth soon, however, is in his defense. 

"[Lendeborg's] weak-side awareness right now is very poor," he said. "And with his size, he should be one of our best defenders at the rim. Right now, he's unaware on the weak side." 

Statistically, that checks out. Lendeborg notched his first career block against the Suns. 

But rim protection is about more than just the raw numbers. You can alter shots by being in the right place at the right time and draw charges, too — something that Lendeborg can learn from one of the best defenders ever in Green. 

Kerr sounds confident that it will all come with time. Until then, the Warriors should be pleased with how Lendeborg has responded to the heavy load they have thrown on his shoulders early on.