Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg led the team to a Summer League championship by winning the tournament’s MVP award. The No. 11 pick rounded off his phenomenal run with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in the final against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Golden State trailed by 12 points at the start of the fourth quarter, but rallied to win 94-90, outscoring its counterpart 28-14 in the final frame. Lendeborg tallied nine points and seven rebounds in that stretch alone.
Warriors fans were ecstatic after his spectacular effort to overcome the Grizzlies, led by No. 3 pick, Cameron Boozer, who scored 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished four assists and made steals.
One fan said the Warriors may not have to pursue LeBron James in free agency, given Lendeborg’s exploits at the Summer League:
“stop going after Bron you have your forward for the future.
More reactions followed.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s first words after winning Summer League MVP
Lendeborg suggested he plays with a chip on his shoulder after proving himself in his first few days as a pro. The Warriors’ lottery pick, who had an unusual path compared to other candidates, reflected on being the best player at Summer League, saying:
“It means a lot, you know, (after) all the sacrifice, all the struggle to get to this point. Every game I play, I have something to prove to myself, and to all those who doubted me and those who don’t believe in me. I’m just very proud of this moment, I’m glad we got to win this.”
Yaxel Lendeborg wasn’t a top recruit in high school. His low grades kept him off the court, as he made only 11 appearances as a senior. Lendeborg was 18 when he first gained experience playing organized basketball with Arizona Western University in the NJCAA. He played three seasons before transferring to the NCAA, where he suited up for UAB for two seasons and ended his final year in Michigan.
Lendeborg will turn 24 in September, making him one of the older rookies. It’s one of the main reasons why 10 teams passed on him. However, the Warriors were determined to add a polished prospect who could contribute right away.
While Summer League isn’t widely considered the measuring stick for prospects’ ability to succeed, the eye test and numbers suggest Lendeborg may have what it takes to make significant contributions on the Warriors in his rookie season.
Read more:
- “He Hates Boston”: NBA Insider Speculates LeBron James Has Celtics Last On His Landing Spots List
- Yaxel Lendeborg Makes Feelings Clear About Jordan Poole-Like Situation With Draymond Green
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