Yaxel Lendeborg was selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2026 NBA Draft, and at the NBA Summer League, he turned heads as he won the Summer League MVP. 

Through six games of the Summer League, Lendeborg averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4 assists, proving he can be a threat in multiple ways on offense. His inside scoring mixed with his perimeter shooting set him apart from most players throughout the very brief season. 

In the championship game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Lendeborg scored 21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals as he helped the Warriors win 94-90. He also hit multiple clutch three-point shots to seal the victory for them in the fourth quarter. 

Lendeborg shot 35.7 percent from long range, close to his Michigan three-point percentage of 37.2. He also averaged 2.2 turnovers per game, but that could be due to how much usage he had throughout the six games.

Still, Golden State was a better team with him on the court, as Lendeborg finished the Summer League with a plus-minus of 7. 

Yaxel Lendeborg's performance proved he was one of the most NBA-ready prospects in this year's draft class. Even though the Summer League is not necessarily at the level of intensity as the regular season, he was still able to play under NBA coaches and their concepts and perform at a high level. 

Lendeborg is expected to see significant playing time throughout his rookie season, and he will need to be productive with Golden State from day 1. Part of what boosted his draft stock was that he was one of the rookies who would not take much time to develop once selected. 

At Michigan, Lendeborg stood apart for similar reasons he did in the Summer League. His physical presence inside and on the perimeter made him a tough player to guard. He also plays with a high motor and can play with high intensity for an extended period of time. 

The Warriors will need depth on the wing this year with Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler III missing time due to their season-ending injuries, and Yaxel Lendeborg could be a solid temporary replacement for them. 

If Lendeborg can find his way to play with the level of physicality he played with in the Summer League, he can end up being one of the Warriors' most valuable players in a hurry.