UAB vs. North Texas: A Competitive Battle & My Spotlight on Yaxel Lendeborg

Lendeborg didn’t disappoint. He had a quiet first half but took over in the second, scoring 13 of his 17 total points. He finished the game with an impressive stat line: 17 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Lendeborg could have easily racked up more assists, but his team’s shots weren’t dropping.

Initial Thoughts

Lendeborg, a 6’9″ point forward, constantly pushed the ball up the floor, especially after grabbing rebounds. In the first half, he displayed his ability to find open teammates, his high defensive IQ by causing deflections and steals, and his versatility by switching onto guards while keeping them in front. He also showed great poise and patience when double-teamed, never rushing his decisions.

One standout play from the first half was a beautiful dime from the top of the key to a cutting teammate for an easy layup. He also came away with a steal—despite having his back to the ball—showing great instincts before taking it coast to coast for a slam. Another steal showcased his quick hands in the passing lane, though it led to a missed dunk in transition by his teammate. These were just a few of the plays that caught my eye early on.

Lendeborg Takes Over in the Second Half

This was a tight game, and Lendeborg made his presence felt even more in the second half. Before diving into his key plays, it’s worth noting that he was vocal and constantly directing his teammates on defense throughout the game.

Offensively, he showcased his mid-range game, repeatedly getting to his spots and knocking down shots, including a smooth turnaround jumper—cash. Defensively, he remained aggressive. Even when he got beat off the dribble, he recovered quickly to block the shot. He also forced another steal, leading to another dunk. Lastly, at the end of the game Lendeborg sank two clutch free throws to put his team up three. His two-way activity stood out, and I firmly believe that if he’s taken in the second round, a team will be getting first-round talent.

Areas for Improvement

Lendeborg had two noticeable mistakes in this game. First, he got caught napping on an inbound play, allowing a backdoor layup. Second, after securing an offensive rebound, he put the ball down in traffic for a power dribble and turned it over.

Final Thoughts

Yaxel Lendeborg is a fascinating prospect, and I expect to hear his name more as we approach the draft. After watching some highlights, it’s clear he has a nice touch from three as well. He plays both ends of the floor, has a high basketball IQ, and shows the ability to create and score. A second-round pick? I’m not so sure. I’ll continue watching and assessing as the season progresses.