Fresh off an NCAA title, 23-year-old Yaxel Lendeborg dominated summer competition the same way he did college: with wide-ranging contributions that make him an ideal fit for the Golden State Warriors.
And as if March Madness wasn’t enough, he won the title in Vegas too.
Between eight games there and in California, and in well under 30 minutes per game, Lendeborg averaged 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks. He shot 48.4 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from deep.
He often looked like a man among boys. And while that experience set him apart this summer, it’ll help him blend in with the big club.
Steve Kerr will quickly learn how to use the combination of size and skill Lendeborg brings to games. There will be a learning curve, but his vision, passing and three-point shooting should help him be a mostly additive player if given the opportunity to share the floor with the vets.