Arizona’s Burries selected 10th, former AWC Matador Lendeborg selected 11th

Former Arizona Western star Lendeborg selected by Warriors in first round of NBA Draft

NEW YORK, N.Y. (KYMA) - Several players with ties to Arizona heard their names called during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night, including former Arizona Western College standout Yaxel Lendeborg.

Lendeborg was selected with the No. 11 overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, becoming one of the highest-drafted players in Arizona Western history.

The selection comes just months after Lendeborg helped lead the University of Michigan to a national championship during his lone season with the Wolverines. Before his rise at the Division I level, Lendeborg spent time at Arizona Western, where he developed into one of the nation's top junior college players.

Lendeborg is the fourth former Arizona Western player to reach the NBA and the second-highest draft pick in program history, trailing only Rafael Araujo, who was selected eighth overall in 2004.

Former University of Arizona standout Braydon Burries was the first Arizona-connected player taken off the board, going No. 10 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Later in the first round, Arizona native Koa Peat saw his NBA dream become reality when he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks. The pick was made with the intention of transferring Peat's rights to the Phoenix Suns as part of a reported three-team trade that also involved the New York Knicks.

The Chandler native is expected to return to his home state once the transaction becomes official.

Meanwhile, former Arizona players Jaden Bradley and Tobe Awaka were not selected in the opening round and will await the second round in hopes of hearing their names called.

For Arizona Western and the Yuma community, Lendeborg's selection marked a historic moment, adding another NBA player to the Matadors' legacy and further showcasing the pathway from Yuma to basketball's highest level.