A former high school player who was dismissed, Yaxel Lendeborg carved a winding path to the NBA, where he is becoming a valuable asset alongside Stephen Curry.
Yaxel Lendeborg was not destined for the NBA spotlight. At 24, the Golden State rookie was selected 11th overall in the 2026 draft, an advanced age for a first season in the league. His journey, marked by numerous obstacles, contrasts with the linear trajectory of most of his peers.
Dismissed from his high school team, the player had to rebuild in a minor college league. This experience, far from the big programs, could have put an end to his ambitions. But Lendeborg turned these setbacks into fuel, working tirelessly to attract the attention of scouts.
Today, he plays alongside Stephen Curry, one of basketball's living legends. His promising start with the Warriors hints at an obvious complementarity with the star point guard. His maturity, forged by a chaotic path, seems to be an asset in a roster seeking stability.
In San Francisco, the future looks brighter than expected for this veteran rookie. His story reminds us that perseverance can open the most closed doors, and that unconventional paths sometimes have unsuspected value.
Dismissed from his high school team, the player had to rebuild in a minor college league. This experience, far from the big programs, could have put an end to his ambitions. But Lendeborg turned these setbacks into fuel, working tirelessly to attract the attention of scouts.
Today, he plays alongside Stephen Curry, one of basketball's living legends. His promising start with the Warriors hints at an obvious complementarity with the star point guard. His maturity, forged by a chaotic path, seems to be an asset in a roster seeking stability.
In San Francisco, the future looks brighter than expected for this veteran rookie. His story reminds us that perseverance can open the most closed doors, and that unconventional paths sometimes have unsuspected value.
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Source: Ouest-France