// SCOUT_HOMEPAGE
DB88
PROFILES
01
BOARD_SPOTS
128
YEAR
2026
// SAVED_BOARD
2026_OVERALL_BOARD
TOP_30
// PROSPECT_GUIDE
YAXEL LENDEBORG
YAXEL LENDEBORG
No scouting summary yet...
Yaxel's ceiling is a long and strong forward with the ability to be the secondary playmaker in a championship quality offense. On defense he could guard 2-5 with more rim protection than Siakam has. While he may not have as much creation upside, the added rim defense makes Siakam a good upside comparison.
Both are very efficient shooters who can be a playmaking hub for a few possessions a game. Yaxel projects as a better defender than Gordon at the next level, with less of the off the dribble shot creation.
Good defender all around, I see a bit more offensive floor with Yaxel over DFS. Can be a quality connective role player on a very good team. Yaxel's playmaking also gives him a floor slightly higher than DFS.
// OFFENSIVE_EVALUATION
Lendeborg's offensive metrics point to a very efficient shooter and rim scorer, with promising playmaking ability for a forward. He excels in transition with guard like vision and a capable enough handle to get down the court and get his team points quickly. His ability to get the ball to a dominant post big like Aday Mara showed at Michigan, if he goes to a team with a similarly post centric big he will be able to feed him the ball. He was a very good perimeter shooter, posting an 83rd percentile 3 point rate, shooting 37% on those shots. Lendeborg is a completely inside-out scorer, his MIDATT/100 possessions is in the 8th percentile. His efficiency at the rim looks good on paper and while he is efficient there, he struggles to go strong to the rim off the dribble, exemplifying his overall lack of creation ability. His USG% of 20.5 is very low for a high quality NBA prospect, but he showed out within his role in the Michigan offense this season, taking the Wolverines to a national championship.
// DEFENSIVE_EVALUATION
The main aspect of Lendeborg's defense is his length, with a monstrous 7'4" wingspan (98th percentile) his arms can affect the play even when he's late to react. His advanced defensive metrics are some of the best in the class, his DBPM is 3rd and DRAPM is 1st. He may not put up the most blocks or steals, but his effect on team defense is undeniable. He was often used as a weak side rim protector next to Aday Mara. Even at just 6'8" his length shows up heavy on tape allowing him to be a very effective rim protector. Yaxel also affects actions around the perimeter consistently, disrupting dribble handoffs by getting a hand near the ball. He is also very disciplined and not reckless, with 1.3 stocks per foul.
// AGE
Lendeborg is currently 23 years old and will be 24 during his rookie year. For many that drops him very low on their board due to a perceived lack of upside but I don't see it that way. He's not like a Chris Duarte who is what he is and doesn't have a real path to reach his ceiling. What Lendeborg is right now and reasonably can be is worth a top 10 pick.
// PROJECTION
I can't see Yaxel not finding his place within a rotation quickly after being drafted. He can excel in many roles, big or small, at small forward or power forward. Every NBA team could use a good defender and 3 point shooter with the size of Yaxel. At his ceiling he could be a starter and great connective piece on a championship team.
// OFFENSIVE_EVALUATION
Lendeborg's offensive metrics point to a very efficient shooter and rim scorer, with promising playmaking ability for a forward. He excels in transition with guard like vision and a capable enough handle to get down the court and get his team points quickly. His ability to get the ball to a dominant post big like Aday Mara showed at Michigan, if he goes to a team with a similarly post centric big he will be able to feed him the ball. He was a very good perimeter shooter, posting an 83rd percentile 3 point rate, shooting 37% on those shots. Lendeborg is a completely inside-out scorer, his MIDATT/100 possessions is in the 8th percentile. His efficiency at the rim looks good on paper and while he is efficient there, he struggles to go strong to the rim off the dribble, exemplifying his overall lack of creation ability. His USG% of 20.5 is very low for a high quality NBA prospect, but he showed out within his role in the Michigan offense this season, taking the Wolverines to a national championship.
// DEFENSIVE_EVALUATION
The main aspect of Lendeborg's defense is his length, with a monstrous 7'4" wingspan (98th percentile) his arms can affect the play even when he's late to react. His advanced defensive metrics are some of the best in the class, his DBPM is 3rd and DRAPM is 1st. He may not put up the most blocks or steals, but his effect on team defense is undeniable. He was often used as a weak side rim protector next to Aday Mara. Even at just 6'8" his length shows up heavy on tape allowing him to be a very effective rim protector. Yaxel also affects actions around the perimeter consistently, disrupting dribble handoffs by getting a hand near the ball. He is also very disciplined and not reckless, with 1.3 stocks per foul.
// AGE
Lendeborg is currently 23 years old and will be 24 during his rookie year. For many that drops him very low on their board due to a perceived lack of upside but I don't see it that way. He's not like a Chris Duarte who is what he is and doesn't have a real path to reach his ceiling. What Lendeborg is right now and reasonably can be is worth a top 10 pick.
// PROJECTION
I can't see Yaxel not finding his place within a rotation quickly after being drafted. He can excel in many roles, big or small, at small forward or power forward. Every NBA team could use a good defender and 3 point shooter with the size of Yaxel. At his ceiling he could be a starter and great connective piece on a championship team.