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Basketball swirls through Yaxel Lendeborg's blood. The Michigan standout was once considered an unheralded talent, failing to register much interest on the youth basketball circuit.
But after stints at Arizona Western, UAB and now, Michigan, Lendeborg is a household name, capturing consensus first-team All-American honors and the Big Ten Player of the Year nod in 2026. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound talent has been in the college game for some time. But he's finally realizing the potential that was so apparent to some when he was prancing around dusty basketball courts as a teenager.
Lendeborg's success is years in the making. Here's what you need to know about Lendeborg's origins, from his Dominican roots to his infamous high school career — or lack thereof.
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Where is Yaxel Lendeborg from?
Lendeborg was born in Puerto Rico to basketball-playing parents from the Dominican Republic. His family moved to the United States when Lendeborg was a toddler, putting their flag down in Ohio.
“So we go to Ohio you know to (get) a better job, better education for Yaxel,” said Yissel Raposo, Lendeborg's mom (according to KYMA-DT).
“Ohio was nice you know I made a lot of friends, pretty much elementary school, that’s when I learned English and all that," Lendeborg added.
When Lendeborg was eight, his family moved again, eventually settling down in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Located in the northernmost part of Camden County, the 37,000-person township proved as an apt site for Lendeborg's hoop dreams to flourish, even if they took shape in a rather unconventional way.
MORE: Why Yaxel Lendeborg turned down more money from Kentucky
Yaxel Lendeborg high school
Lendeborg's first love was baseball. He cut his cloth on the diamond as a youth, hoping to mimic his beloved grandfather, who shared a passion for the sport.
His hulking frame was better suited for the hardwood, though. Lendeborg attended Pennsauken High School, earning a spot on the school's freshman side. It was the first basketball team he ever played for.
“I didn’t make the basketball team until freshman year,” Lendeborg told the Memphis Commercial Appeal in 2022. “Sixth, seventh, eighth grade, I tried out and never made it. I never really asked why. I guess I just wasn’t good enough.”
A whirlwind four-year tenure with the Indians followed. Lendeborg was cut from his team midseason after racking up failed grades. He was deemed academically ineligible as a sophomore and junior, leaving him in a sort of limbo as he approached the end of his high school career.
“I didn’t really have the will to do school or better myself in general,” Lendeborg said. “I just didn’t think I was good enough for anything.”
Raposo had to get creative. She helped Lendeborg do dual-enrollment at nearby Camden County College. The arrangement worked a charm for Lendeborg, allowing him to play the final 11 games of Pennsauken's season. The Indians went 10-1 with Lendeborg in their ranks.
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Yaxel Lendeborg parents
Lendeborg's parents are Yissel Raposo and Okary Lendeborg. Both were gifted basketball talents in their younger years, starring on the Dominican Republic's national basketball team. Raposo also turned out for the Dominican Republic's national volleyball team, according to People.
What kind of name is Yaxel?
According to Parenting Patch, the name, 'Yaxel' is rooted in ancient Mesoamerican languages, particularly the Mayan language family. The etymology appears originate from "yax", which means "green" or "blue" in the Yucatec Maya language.
English (US)