Yaxel Lendeborg spent his very first professional basketball paycheck on a house for his mother, Yissel Raposo, surprising her with the property keys in a video shared on his YouTube channel, MARCA reported. The 24-year-old forward, standing 2.06 meters tall, embraced his mother on camera and told her, “Welcome home.”
According to financial projections reported by MARCA, Lendeborg stands to earn $6.0 million during his first season with the Golden State Warriors after being selected 11th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. The rookie forward bypassed a $9 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payout at the University of Michigan to enter the league, where he has started his career averaging 21.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists through his first nine appearances.
The Path From Warehouse Shifts to the Bay Area
El Nacional reported that Lendeborg's journey to a Bay Area residence involved significant financial and personal hurdles, including working a 9-to-5 warehouse job alongside his mother following the death of his grandfather.
Yaxel surprises his mom with a new house in his 1st YouTube video 🥹 pic.twitter.com/gmVVkRyzyf
COPE noted that Raposo played a decisive role in keeping her son’s basketball career alive when he considered quitting during his final year of high school due to grief. Raposo assisted him in recovering his academic standing and identifying athletic opportunities, culminating in the scholarship at Arizona Western College that launched his collegiate rise.
Reflecting on Family Sacrifices and Rookie Impact
“No gesture is enough to express gratitude for all the love, sacrifice, and support my mother has given me, but this moment was very special and one I will never forget,” Lendeborg said, as cited by MARCA. “She deserves everything. For me, this goes beyond basketball. It’s about making sure those who believed in me also enjoy the blessings.”
RC Noticias added that Lendeborg expressed joy over fulfilling a long-standing personal aspiration, stating upon the home’s purchase that he had finally realized a lifelong dream and felt deeply blessed. The property acquisition follows an early-season stretch that also featured a high-profile on-court exchange with Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić, during which Lendeborg drew attention for his defensive intensity and post-game remarks reported by COPE.
Track Yaxel Lendeborg collegiate statistics and rookie contract
What were Yaxel Lendeborg’s collegiate statistics before reaching the NBA?
Before being drafted 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2026, Lendeborg won a national championship at the University of Michigan alongside teammate Aday Mara, following stints at Arizona Western and UAB.
What are Yaxel Lendeborg’s current averages in his rookie season?
Through his first nine games with the Warriors, Lendeborg is averaging 21.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, while shooting 39.6 percent from three-point range.
How much is Yaxel Lendeborg’s rookie contract worth?
Under standard rookie salary projections reported in basketball media, Lendeborg is slated to earn $6.0 million during his inaugural campaign in the league.
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