Jaxel Lendeborg’s Unique Journey

Jaxel Lendeborg’s path has certainly not been typical.

Born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents, he moved to Pennsauken, New Jersey, at just eight years old. Interestingly, both his parents played for the Dominican Republic’s national basketball team. Despite this athletic background, Lendeborg didn’t dive into organized basketball until he was 15.

He started to shine at Pennsauken High School but faced some bumps along the way—like getting cut from the freshman team due to academic issues and missing out on his sophomore and junior seasons. However, he made a strong comeback during his senior year, rejoining the varsity team and helping them win 10 out of their last 11 games.

After finishing high school, Lendeborg attended Arizona Western University before moving to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Eventually, he landed at the University of Michigan, where he earned an All-American title in March and was named Big Ten Player of the Year in his senior year.

Although he was not part of the Wolverines squad that clinched their second national title, he initially declared for the 2025 NBA draft but later decided to commit to Michigan State. This choice came with a lucrative NIL contract and made sense to him, as he aimed to navigate a potentially daunting NBA path more cautiously. His performance in his final year significantly boosted his prospects.

Reflecting on his journey, Lendeborg shared, “In some ways, I didn’t feel ready for the NBA lifestyle.” He was candid about his mental state, admitting, “I was very weak-minded and in the end I wasn’t ready.”

“This year was the first time I had confidence in myself and was able to overcome most obstacles,” he added, highlighting his growth.

Heading into the 2025 draft, he was viewed as a borderline first-round pick, but his game has garnered him attention as a top prospect for the 2026 draft. Many expect to hear his name called in the first round soon.

Despite the ups and downs, Lendeborg has always felt supported. “People are willing to give up and come for me… It’s really nice to have that kind of circle,” he commented.

One key takeaway for him as he prepares for the NBA? “Continue to energize every room and situation you are in.”