Following a dominant freshman season at Arizona Western, Yaxel Lendeborg became one of the most sought after junior college players in the country and recently picked up an offer from the Bearcats and several American Athletic Conference teams.
Lendeborg is a 6’9 power forward with plenty of potential as a defender, playmaker, rebounder and scorer at the next level. The Puerto Rico native put up 12.2 points and 11.0 rebounds last season en route to being named conference Player of the Year.
Prior to his sophomore season, Lendeborg earned offers from Cincinnati, Houston, Memphis, New Mexico, Xavier and more. He played in the NJCAA Rising All-Star Showcase this summer, averaging 16.0 points and 15.5 rebounds in three matchups.
Blessed and grateful to receive an offer from The University of Cincinnati #GoBearCats pic.twitter.com/zvHxTeyyzq
— Yaxel Lendeborg (@Yaxel_Lendeborg) July 28, 2022
Cincinnati Basketball: Yaxel Lendeborg breaks down Bearcats scholarship offer
Lendeborg will play this season at Arizona Western before transferring to a D1 program with at least two years of eligibility remaining. In addition to receiving dozens of offers, Lendeborg got a chance to visit Houston and New Mexico in September.
As the Bearcats head to the Big 12 Conference next summer, Lendeborg would be a significant addition with high upside. It would also be a return home to Cincinnati as he lived in town for several years during his childhood before moving to New Jersey.
Lendeborg discussed his plan to transfer after this year, receiving a scholarship offer from the Bearcats, what he learned throughout junior college and when he plans to commit in a recent interview with me.
"“So far it’s been Cincinnati, Houston, Iona, New Mexico, Memphis and VCU as the schools who have been reaching out the most and showing interest in me. I should be committing mid fall. Cincinnati is a great place to be and I would be grateful to play anywhere at the next level. I will be returning for my final year at Arizona Western. The coaches have been the best to me and have really taught how to be the best player that I can be and I am extremely blessed to have them as my coaches. I would say my play style is similar to a point forward. I am starting to believe that I am ready for the D1 level because I started developing more and becoming more of an all around threat.”"