How Yaxel Lendeborg Used His First Paycheck
He recently posted a touching moment on his YouTube channel, where he surprised his mother, Yissel Raposo, with a new house. BasketNews reported that he made the purchase using his first NBA salary, making it a meaningful achievement as he began his professional basketball career.
Raposo supported her son through challenging times during his teenage years, encouraging him to stay committed to the sport and his education despite the uncertainty surrounding his future. Her guidance eventually led him to Arizona Western College, where he started working to get his athletic career back on track.
Yaxel later moved to the University of Alabama at Birmingham before transferring to Michigan, where he emerged as one of the leading players in collegiate game. He went on to win Big Ten Player of the Year and helped the Wolverines capture the 2026 NCAA national championship. His performance throughout the season also made him as one of the top prospects in his draft class.
The Golden State Warriors selected Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His selection came after years of hard work and development, as he took a less conventional path than many highly recruited prospects. Now that basketball has brought him to the professional level, his gesture toward his mother serves as a reminder of the support and sacrifices that helped him get there.