Golden State Warriors draft Yaxel Lendeborg, rookie admits past dislike of Stephen Curry

The Golden State Warriors selected Dominican‑American forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Lendeborg comes from the University of Michigan, where he averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per game and earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors. The Warriors view him as a versatile two‑way player who can guard multiple positions and stretch the floor with a 37 % three‑point rate.

During his introductory media session, Lendeborg revealed a childhood sentiment, saying, “I used to hate Steph Curry,” because he was a Kyrie Irving fan during the 2016 NBA Finals rivalry. He added that the feeling has changed, describing the moment as “a full‑circle moment” and praising Curry as “a very great guy, a genuine person.” Curry later responded on Instagram with a welcome message.

General manager Mike Dunleavy noted that Lendeborg’s size, passing ability and defensive versatility fit the Warriors’ need for immediate front‑court help as the team rebuilds around aging stars such as Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The draft also saw the Warriors pick Lajae Jones in the second round as an additional developmental prospect.