The 2026 NBA Draft brought a familiar spotlight back to the Golden State Warriors, who used the 11th overall pick to select Yaxel Lendeborg of the Michigan Wolverines. While the moment called for building a strong future together, Lendeborg recalled his past hatred for Steph Curry.
The 23-year-old arrives in the NBA after a defining final college season at Michigan, where he won the 2026 NCAA Championship in April. A decade before getting drafted by the Warriors, Lendeborg admired and idolized Kyrie Irving. His love for the Dallas Mavericks star also created a negative perception toward Curry.
“It’s a full-circle moment for me. In 2016, I’m a big Kyrie guy, so I used to hate Steph Curry,” Lendeborg said in the press conference after getting drafted by the Warriors. His comments reflect the Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors rivalry era when Kyrie frequently faced off against Steph in the NBA Finals.
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The two met in three straight Finals from 2015 to 2017, with Curry winning two of those series. However, Irving got the better of the Warriors star when he hit a dagger over him in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals and eventually won the championship with the Cavaliers. The frequent showdowns showcased a stylistic clash as well, since both players had flair in their dribbling.
Nevertheless, Lendeborg’s hatred for Curry was a decade ago. The latest Warriors player further mentioned meeting Curry in recent years, claiming “he is a very great guy, a genuine person.” He ended by sharing his excitement to watch his new four-time NBA Champion teammate in person.
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Steph has one year left on his contract. Lendeborg will get the opportunity to play with the 38-year-old ahead of Curry’s final years in the NBA. His addition to the Warriors can be promising, as he is well known for effectively covering both sides of the court. During Michigan’s final season, Lendeborg led the team in scoring by averaging 15.1 points per game.
His resume also consists of major honors such as Consensus First-Team All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten, and selection to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team in 2026. Lendeborg remains the only player drafted by the Warriors in the first round. They have the 54th pick during Day 2 of the NBA Draft.
For Lendeborg, the journey from being a fan of rival stars to sharing a locker room with one of them marks an exciting shift.
