[OhCanada-Participant]

Anybody have more information on this player. Playing for a small school seems to have prevented him from getting much hype but just after a quick dive through his stats and highlights he looks like a sure 1st round talent. He does a bit of everything seems to have a decent shot and is extremely athletic and coordinated for his size.

[HitsterParticipant]

Must admit I’ve not heard of him, I don’t think his name is on any of Norrin’s big boards off the top of my head. Yaxel has great stats for sure, I’d think he’d get PIT invite and Summer League, Training Camps etc. Not sure if he’s likely to be drafted but if he can do a bit of everything as a 6ft 9ins 240lbs guy then teams will have a look at him for sure.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Yeah, he’s been on there…

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Yaxel’s legit, saw a game against this deep sleeper prospect Kaleb Banks, where he dominated Banks… He does do a bit of everything of a big. His shot isn’t quite there from long range, but everything else checks out. His long range could improve a little though. He has similar abilities to CMB and Queen, but slightly different. He’s pretty strong too. He’s older than those guys, and the one thing I’m not quite sure about him is if he has to be the man to be good or could he play off of someone… atm he is the guy.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

I think the temporary injunction in the Diego Pavia lawsuit allowing junior college transfers an additional year of eligibility will make it so that Yaxel Lendeborg will likely not be in the NBA Draft this summer. This is a guy who played one year and eleven games in prior to going to juco. Obviously, being 6’8″ or 6’9″ and athletic opened that door, and went on to be a two-time juco All-American. He has just developed at such a rapid pace given his lack of formal basketball that he is an interesting prospect. In this era, however, it feels more likely that a trip to Kansas or North Carolina (or whatever deep pocketed program) might yield more money than one to the draft. Honestly, I think he is too good for UAB to be able to keep him financially. At the moment, he is a 5th year player (his first year at Aizona Western was the covid shortened year) whose length, athleticism, and especially rebounding makes him intriguing. The 5th year part is held against prospects heavily in the draft. Also, he is needs more time on the court, which would be a certainty if he takes that extra year. I think it makes more sense for him to take advantage of the opportunity from the lawsuit. If someone is unlikely to be taken early, and have the organizational commitment that comes with being a lottery pick, then I think he is better off best positioning himself to stick on a roster or rotation by polishing his games as much as possible prior to going.

[HitsterParticipant]

The Pavia case is interesting and allowing guys the extra year due to the pandemic has come back and bit the NCAA. The junior college rule is an interesting one which the NCAA will look to get to the bottom of. The 5th year guys will mainly all have to declare this year so that will freshen up the college rosters quite a bit,

I think age is held against guys nearer the top of the draft but as you go into the 2nd round it is more looking for role players so the likes of Yaxel; who might never be a good NBA starter but could give you a nice bench option and be ready to play on opening night could be a safer choice than a higher upside guy who needs a lot of work.

If Yaxel or similar type players can give a team good value on their rookie deal and earn a 2nd deal then it is a win-win for both sides. If they don’t come off then its not seen as a major issue.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I think Johni Broome is a good measuring stick for Yexel. He kind of impacts the game in the same way despite being a different player, has a bit less size but is a better and more fluid athlete. Obviously Broome is proven playing at the highest level in college and for the best team in the country where as Yexel has only played Memphis and struggled shooting.

I’m actually higher on Broome than most because I personally don’t care as much as others about the age especially once you get outside of the lottery. To me Broome goes 15-25 and Yexel would probably go sometime after Broome. I doubt anyone interested in Yexel would pass on Broome.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

that’s a tough one, I might go Yaxel. They’re really close, great measuring comp!

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

funny, I went back on my big board and yeah – Broome and Lendeborg I have back to back on it. Broome and then Lendeborg back to back in that order… then I watched the Hoop Intellect’s big board and he had them back to back too, but in reverse… Lendeborg and then Broome.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

The covid decision has nothing to do with this lawsuit. The courts left them with no alternative Pavia’s lawyers are claiming the NCAA has no power over competitions played outside the purview of the organization, which is to say junior colleges, NAIA, and a few other low level collegiate bodies. A judge ruled they cannot prevent Pavia from being eligible next season while the suit plays itself out in court citing the “irreparable harm” of missing out on the income from NIL earnings he can only earn as a D1 football players (he does not have much of a chance in the NFL as a 5’10” running QB though the lawsuit does not mention that). The judge gave him a temporary injunction, which basically awards him one more year. Rather than deal with what would have been a steady string of lawsuits of all the other athletes in the same boat as Pavia, the NCAA extended that additional year to others. Yaxel fits that profile. Frankly, a lot of very good players at the midmajor and low major levels are going to have a chance to make some money, because that is often where juco players land. NAIA senior stars can have an extra year as their NAIA eligibility will be done, but can get that one at an NCAA school. The famously tatted Jamal Gibson could be coming to ESPN+ next year.

[Author]

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