The Golden State Warriors and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg exchanged good-natured banter after the team selected Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Lendeborg said that as a child he was not a Curry fan, telling reporters, “In 2016, I’m a big Kyrie Irving guy. So I used to hate Steph Curry,” according to Lendeborg.
Curry noticed those comments and replied under Lendeborg’s Instagram post celebrating his selection. “Let’s go! Welcome to the Bay! I’m going to work hard to be your new favorite player,” Curry wrote, adding a cry-laughing emoji.
Lendeborg, a Michigan standout, said his view of Curry shifted after the two met at the play-in game between the Warriors and the LA Clippers in April. Lendeborg said meeting Curry helped change his opinion and that he looks forward to playing alongside the future Hall of Famer.
“Now that I’m actually going to be able to be on the same team with him, play and actually learn so much from him, it means a lot,” Lendeborg said. “He’s a very great guy, genuine person. It’s going to be an honor to be able to watch what he does in person.” Lendeborg’s family moved from Puerto Rico to Ohio when he was 2 years old, and he said he was a Cleveland Cavaliers fan in 2016, when the Cavs faced the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Lendeborg also ribbed Draymond Green during the draft, saying he was “really not too fond of” Green’s Michigan State allegiance while adding that he was excited to learn from Green. Green has yet to respond.
