Yaxel Lendeborg Keeps Getting Better | The Prospect Overview
UAB's Yaxel Lendeborg is one of the most versatile and productive prospects in the country. The best part is that he keeps getting better. PLUS: Quick Hits across the world of basketball!
I get why older prospects generally aren’t as exciting as their younger peers. Typically, higher-end NBA outcomes are achieved by players who were so dominant in their youth that they spent very little time in college. By the time players get to their senior or graduate years of college, evaluators start to assign them lower-ceiling projections. Looking at the top vote-getters for this year’s All-Star Game, you do have your exceptions—Steph Curry, Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard, Jimmy Butler, and Jalen Williams, to name a few. But by and large, the best guys are the guys who were the best when they were really young.
There is one way for older prospects to generate more excitement, though, and that is to continue improving. If a player is set to enter the NBA at 22 years old, and they look the same as they looked when they were 18 years old, it’s hard to talk yourself into that player having any potential in front of them. But if a player has a unique background paired with an interesting developmental trajectory, then there’s a bit more reason to believe. The aforementioned Jalen Williams had a late growth spurt and then improved year-over-year at Santa Clara while showing an impressive level of feel. Even putting his physical tools aside, that gave scouts a reason to be excited about him entering the league at 21 more than someone like Johnny Juzang, who looked nearly identical during his sophomore and junior campaigns.
If you want a funky background story paired with an impressive development trajectory, let me introduce you to Yaxel Lendeborg. I first dove deep into the 6’9” UAB graduate’s game this offseason during my No Stone Unturned series. At that time, I dug into Lendeborg’s background and had the chance to speak with him about it. Before we look forward, let’s take a brief look back:
Yaxel Lendeborg was born in Puerto Rico. Growing up, he wanted to be a baseball player. He tried out for his school’s basketball team in middle school but was cut every time. He finally landed a roster spot as a freshman, but poor academic performance led to him getting booted from the team. His grades rendered him ineligible for the following two seasons, as well. After getting his classroom situation in order, Lendeborg played 11 games during his senior year. He was then taken to a showcase event, somewhat against his will. During a phone call, Lendeborg told me, “The night before, I was up late playing PlayStation with my friends. The next morning, I'm up early, my mom drags me there. I see all these kids, there were a lot of kids there…I'm scared, I'm worried. My cousin was there, and that was comforting. I was picking him up full court, going at it with him. And I ended up being one of the better players at that camp.” This performance led to him attending Arizona Western College, a JuCo program.
His college career began modestly. Lendeborg only played 19.2 MPG as a freshman (during the redshirt/COVID year), primarily coming off the bench. But soon, Lendeborg’s career would take off. “I progressed; I got better and more confident. My coaches put the thought process into me that I could actually be somebody,” he explained. This mentality shift would take Lendeborg to new heights. The next year, he upped his production and was named an NJCAA Third-Team All-American. The following season, Lendeborg led the NJCAA in rebounding and earned Second-Team All-American honors.
Lendeborg received offers from high-major programs such as St. John’s, Xavier, and Houston, but he ultimately elected to attend UAB for his redshirt junior season. “Coach AK (Andy Kennedy) had high hopes for me. He told me he thought I could be one of the best fours the program ever had, and I'd never had anybody say things like that to me before. It felt like a home here. It felt like God was telling me to come here,” Lendeborg said. After a solid start, Lendeborg hit his stride around mid-December. He earned an All-AAC First-Team nod and won the AAC Defensive Player of the Year Award. Even sweeter, he won the AAC Tournament MVP Award and helped UAB secure an NCAA Tournament bid. Following the conclusion of the season, he elected to return to UAB for his final college campaign.
Lendeborg got better throughout his JuCo career, and he’s continued to get better at UAB. This season, he’s taken several important developmental strides, and that’s what we’ll be digging into today. Lendeborg’s realization that he could be somebody has actualized—he is somebody, and that somebody is a legitimate NBA prospect.
Shooting
Coming into the year, Lendeborg’s shot was somewhat of a question. He’d made 33.3% of his threes during his first year at UAB, but he only took one per game. However, I was optimistic about his jumper. For starters, it was a clean looking stroke mechanically. But on paper, the indicators were positive. He’d knocked down 80% of his free throws on nearly 200 attempts. Plus, Lendeborg told me that his three-ball had been a focus of his off-season development, and that he was hoping to make 50 of them this season.
While 50 made threes was an admirable goal, it doesn’t look like he’s going to get there. With that being said, I’m still super encouraged with what we’ve seen from Lendeborg beyond the arc. His shot still looks great, but even better, he’s launching threes more readily. He’s maintained his efficiency (33.3% from deep) while increasing his volume from 1.0 to 1.8 attempts per game. That’s a big uptick in volume. When teams give him space, he’s letting threes fly more often and with far less hesitation. His degree of difficulty has increased, too. Last year, he only took six pick-and-pop threes. This year, that number is up to 11. It’s not an otherworldly shooting leap, but it’s progress.
Interior Scoring
One of my main areas of concern about Lendeborg coming into the year was his interior scoring. The building blocks were there, as Lendeborg can burn slower big men to get to the cup. He could reel in lobs above the rim. He also competed with the requisite level of toughness, which helped him get to the line on a consistent basis. Still, the overall efficiency was poor for a hybrid big man. Per Synergy, he only made 58.1% of his half court shots at the basket last season.
This year, Lendeborg has improved to 66.3% on half-court rim attempts. He looks and plays stronger inside now. On drives, he’s doing a better job of getting low and holding his line. He’s also adjusted how he handles his business after grabbing offensive rebounds. Last year, Lendeborg went 30-for-59, or 50.8%, on putbacks. This year, he’s at 27-for-34, or 79.4%. In the past, Lendeborg was reckless in these settings. He’d swat at the ball for difficult tip-ins or rush the ball back up too quickly. He hasn’t overcorrected—Lendeborg can still time a tip-in and win with his second jump. But he’s acting with a greater degree of poise, and it’s now more common for him to secure the ball, go down, get balanced in a hurry, and explode up. That’s allowed him brace for contact better on the way up, and it’s led to much better results. Given that Lendeborg is a prolific offensive rebounder (11.8 ORB% last year, 10.7 ORB% this year), this development is significant. He went from shooting 53.7% on twos last year to 60.5% this year.
Playmaking
Last year, Lendeborg was an impressive passer for his position. His 13.4 AST% was a great mark for a hybrid big. Still, there was room to grow. His best work was done from a standstill. That’s not a bad thing, but it is a limitation. He did a poor job of anticipating help. He’d throw the ball to players without anticipating the next rotation, or dribble into traffic without preparing for digs coming from the perimeter.
This year, we’ve seen a more polished approach from Lendeborg. While his turnover numbers have slightly increased from 2.0 per game to 2.3 per game, his assist total has doubled (2.1 APG vs. 4.3 APG) this season. His AST% is up to 23.8%, the highest on his team. He’s become a fantastic offensive hub at the top of the key. He can quickly zip the ball to the next shooter up on the perimeter, and he’s trustworthy when putting the ball on the deck for a DHO, but he’s become so much more than that. He’s whipping tighter, sharper passes from the perimeter to cutters. He’s leading in the break in transition, whether it’s off a defensive rebound or a steal, and rewarding open teammates before the defense can get set.
Lendeborg’s offensive rebounding comes back into play here, too. His ability to map the floor is superb, and he’s often ready to spray the ball out to an open shooter after collecting on the glass. Additionally, his downhill game is much smoother. He’s better prepared for help when he drives, and he’s keeping his eyes up for teammates more consistently. That’s served two purposes, as it’s prevented him from forcing tough rim attempts while also helping him add to his assist total when he finds the open man. And it’s not just that his ball skills and passing versatility are better than they were a year ago—they’re downright stellar for a 6’9” prospect.
Defensive Production
Lendeborg hasn’t seen a giant leap on defense, but the reason for that is good—he's the reigning AAC Defensive Player of the year. As a result, this section is going to look a little different than the others. Lendeborg’s defensive role has been a bit different this season—he’s been playing more minutes alongside Christian Coleman, which gives him an additional rim protector on the floor more often. As a result, he’s seen his responsibilities change. Looking at his defensive Synergy page, he’s been guarding more isolation possessions and fewer post-ups as a result. This versatility bodes well for him and is a big part of his sales pitch.
Lendeborg’s wingspan is rumored to be in the 7’3” range, and it shows on tape. Through his two D-1 seasons, he’s posted a 6.4 BLK%, which is a good mark for a big man prospect who finds himself on the perimeter a good amount of the time. He can anchor the defense in drop coverage and protect the rim. When he finds himself out of the paint, his instincts are sharp, which enables him to rotate to the basket and turn opponents away. Lendeborg also racks up blocks in transition. His motor is off the charts, and he consistently hustles back down the floor to prevent easy looks. Lendeborg racks up steals at a high clip for a big man, too. His 2.3 STL% and 1.6 SPG are uncommon numbers for a dude his size. While Lendeborg can hold down the fort in drop coverage, he’s also comfortable switching in ball screens. He’s long in his stance and moves with great fluidity, even if he’s not twitchy. His size forces opponents into mistakes, and he’s also good at poking into the ball. He’s also a threat to jump passing lanes due to his timing. Lastly, Lendeborg can be a demon on the defensive glass, as he’s current averaging over 10 RPG for his second consecutive season.
In total, Lendeborg presents a lot of NBA value defensively. His size and footwork will allow him to guard up and down the lineup. But if a team wants to stay in a more traditional drop coverage, he’s long enough to hold his own there. Additionally, few men his size can incite havoc in passing lanes the way that he can. Lendeborg’s output here will give teams a lot of lineup flexibility. He’ll be able to play at the five against smaller lineups, or against teams who play a skinnier five-man. But if his team wants to rock with a more traditional five, he’s still going to be comfortable out on the perimeter.
Conclusion and Projection
Lendeborg’s archetype is modern, but it’s not necessarily anything new. The skilled, high-feel big man who can offer some defensive versatility has been around for a while now. It’s something teams value. We’ve seen teams swing on taller, 4/5 hybrid types with a bit of shooting who can do stuff with the ball consistently over the years. It doesn’t always work out. Guys like Orlando Robinson, Pete Nance, and Isaiah Mobley have kept their foot in the door, but they never truly got over the hump. Conversely, players like Kevon Looney, Brandon Clarke, and Jaylin Williams have been able to provide value to the teams that drafted them. The question then becomes whether Lendeborg is closer to the first camp or the second.
On one hand, he’s older and is yet to develop reliability from beyond the arc. But on the other hand, it’s hard not to be optimistic given his funky backstory and late-blooming trajectory. There are a lot of guys who come to organized basketball later in life and make it onto the NBA radar. Often times, the thing they struggle with is the ability to process the game quickly. They might have the ball skills or the athleticism, but the game around them moves too fast for them to be a consistently productive player. And it’s not just that Lendeborg isn’t behind that curve, it’s that he’s miles ahead of it. It feels like he’s the one dictating the pace and moving too fast for his opponents. He can whip razor-sharp passes to open teammates and create downhill. On defense, he’s ready to fly all over the place and disrupt the flow of the opposing offense. Lendeborg is a great mental processor now. His assist rate and defensive production are uncommon for any big man, but exceptionally so for one who has such little high-level basketball experience.
Yaxel Lendeborg keeps getting better. He’s getting more confident as a shooter, he’s improving as a playmaker, he’s finishing more reliably, and he’s a versatile defender. I will acknowledge that his three-point shot is a swing skill, and that if he can become an acceptable shooter on moderate volume, it will be much easier for him to see an NBA floor. Without the shot, things would likely get complicated. But if I’m going to bet on someone, it’s some like Lendeborg, who plays with a high motor and has a consistent track record of improvement. His modern skill set on both sides of the ball could make him a valuable rotation player for years to come.
Quick Hits
- It’s time to start paying attention to Saint Thomas! USC’s do-it-all wing had an inefficient start to the year, which is somewhat understandable given the “we just brought in 12 new guys” nature of the Trojans’ roster. But since then, he’s settled in wonderfully. Thomas is scoring 14.3 PPG on 57.7/42.9/70.4 splits in his last ten games. His BPM in conference play is up to 6.2. At 6’7”, he’s always been a gifted passer, versatile defender, and pro-level athlete. Now that he’s putting the ball in the basket at the high-major level, there’s little less left to ask for. He should start to pop back up on draft boards soon.
- I’ve long been a fan of Kentucky’s Amari Williams, and I’m happy to see him scaling up successfully at the high-major level. The defense has always been a big selling point for the 6’10” big man, as he’s capable of anchoring a defense and holding down the fort in drop coverage. His strong chest enables him to stay vertical when covering post ups and stifling drives. Still, he has the agility to cover large swaths of ground in a hurry. Few bigs can match his blend of power and mobility. He’s a force on the glass, owning an 12.0 ORB% and 29.9 DRB%. He’s also an impressive passer who can run DHO actions (2.6 APG). My big gripe with Williams is his poor touch. He can force tough shots inside, and he’s only making 48.3% of his non-dunks at the rim in the half court. Still, there’s a real reason for NBA intrigue. He can guard pick-and-roll, feast on the glass, and he’s up to the task physically. I like Williams in two-way range.
- Max Shulga also fits the “mid-major guy who keeps getting better” bill. The 6’4” graduate has taken on a larger share of the offensive burden once again, and he’s wearing it well. Three things stand out. The first is that his handle has come a long way. He’s keeping the ball tighter and stringing together counters more effectively, and it’s allowed him to reduce his turnovers. Second, Shulga has improved his foul-drawing. He’s always been a stout, physical guard, but his pump fake game and craft at the rim has allowed him to generate free throws like mad (.580 FTr). Lastly, Shulga’s point of attack defense has been fantastic. He’s always used his chest well on the ball, but his improved quickness and timing allows him to get into the ball much more often. He’s averaging a career-high 2.1 SPG, and his steal rate has climbed from 1.7% to 3.8%. Shulga remains one of the most underrated guard prospects in this upcoming class.
- Milwaukee forward Jamichael Stillwell is interesting. The 6’8”, 225-pound junior plays like he was shot out of a cannon. He flies all over the place on defense to prevent easy looks. He’s a terror on the glass, grabbing 11.6 RPG. Opponents cannot take defensive rebounds for granted when he’s on the floor. Plus, there’s some inside-out-ness to his game, as he’s making 37.8% of his threes on 2.3 attempts per game while showcasing solid mechanics. He certainly needs refinement. He gets sped up as a playmaker (0.9 APG vs. 2.2 TOV), he struggles at the charity stripe (53.6%), and he’s a bit too jumpy on defense sometimes. Still, he’s super athletic, his motor is off the charts, and he impacts the game in a variety of ways. I’m really intrigued to see how he develops.
- I asked for suggestions on mid-major prospects to cover on Twitter/X this past week. I got a lot of names of guys I’d already covered this year, but one fresh name I got both publicly and privately was UMass-Lowell freshman Martin Somerville. The 6’3” guard is an excellent shooter. He has a buttery lefty stroke with a high release point, and he does a great job of getting a balanced base underneath him before he pulls up from distance. He’s astoundingly unfazed by closeouts. The end result—a 42.6 3FG% on over ten attempts per game. There’s some dynamism to his handle, too. Somerville can break players down off the dribble and use his shiftiness to generate space for himself. Defensively, he’s displayed solid lateral agility, and his craftiness helps him to make plays off the ball. Somerville doesn’t pressure the rim much, he doesn’t pop athletically, and his lack of strength causes issues defensively. Still, his shooting and feel make him an interesting long-term proposition.
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