Yaxel Lendeborg is absolutely BALLING out for the Warriors right now, making everyone forget he’s just five games into his NBA career. The No. 11 pick from June’s draft is already proving he was a perfect fit, stepping up big time for a team that needed it with Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, and Moses Moody sidelined. But here’s the kicker: this dude is 24 years old, and some of the league’s most established stars are still YOUNGER than him!
Yaxel Lendeborg’s Immediate Impact Shocks the League
Lendeborg is picking up right where he left off in 2026, fresh off an NCAA championship and All-American honors, straight into quick NBA stardom. Throughout the draft process, his age was a major talking point. Yeah, he had an extensive collegiate career, which meant a delayed path to the pros compared to most guys. But honestly, that’s also a huge part of why he was considered so NBA-ready. Warriors’ Mike Dunleavy was quoted saying, “There’s basically never been a player this good at his age,” when asked what led them to draft Lendeborg. He’s a member of the 2020 recruiting class, and now, in the 2026-27 season, he’s finally hitting the league and making it count immediately.
The Unbelievable Age Gap with NBA’s Youngest Stars
It’s wild to put Lendeborg’s timeline into perspective, especially when you realize how many multi-year pros are actually still younger than this 24-year-old rookie.
Take **Bronny James** on the Lakers. He’s been in the league for a while, right? His selection at No. 55 in the 2024 NBA Draft, joining his father, feels like ancient history, 2.5 years ago! But James, born in October 2004, just turned 22. This guy spent just one season at USC, cut short by a cardiac arrest medical emergency, appearing in 25 games, before heading to the NBA. Most scouts thought he wasn’t league-ready, but the Lakers gave him an early shot to pair him with his dad. James has now got two full NBA seasons under his belt, and Lendeborg is about two full years older!
Then there’s **Jalen Duren**, the Pistons’ big man. This dude signed a monster five-year, $200 million rookie extension *before* Lendeborg even touched an NBA court. And Duren, born in November 2003, is still two years younger! He was a consensus five-star recruit in the 2022 class, spent just one year at Memphis, and went No. 13 to Detroit in the 2022 NBA Draft. The 2026-27 season is already his fourth in the NBA. Let that sink in.
And let’s not forget **Victor Wembanyama** from the Spurs. Arguably the best player in the NBA right now, and he’s also two years younger than Lendeborg. Wemby, born in January 2004, is still just 22 years old. He’s already a 2-time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, and has even reached an NBA Finals over three NBA seasons, all *before* Lendeborg even made it to the league! Wembanyama was just 19 when he was drafted after playing professionally in France. In 2023, when he was the No. 1 overall pick, Lendeborg was just entering his first season at UAB. Talk about a different path to the pros!
It’s truly incredible. Lendeborg, the “older” rookie, is already making a huge impact and showing out. Yet, you have guys like Bronny, Duren, and Wemby, who are already multi-year pros, All-Stars, DPOY, and Finals contenders, all while still being younger. It just makes Lendeborg’s immediate on-court brilliance even more stunning. What an electrifying start to his NBA journey!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply